Which factors affect job satisfaction of doctors in psychiatry?

Abstract

Background

Recent reports have described challenges in retaining and recruiting psychiatrists in public mental health care. To improve the work situation for doctors, the Norwegian Psychiatric Association (NPA) conducted surveys to explore job satisfaction among its members. The purpose of this study is to explore how doctors in mental health services perceive their work, and factors affecting their job satisfaction.

Material and methods

A Questback survey was sent to all employed members of NPA in June 2020 and in December 2021. In the first survey, 670 members (37%) responded and 903 (43%) in the second. Job satisfaction was measured on a Likert scale from one to five. Linear regression was used to examine associations between work-related factors and job satisfaction.

Results

In 2021, more than half of the respondents (56%) were satisfied, 16% were dissatisfied and 27% were neutral. The oldest and youngest doctors were most satisfied (p < 0.001). Partial treatment responsibility was related to reduced job satisfaction (β = −0.23, p < 0.001) as well as access to an experienced colleague (β = 0.39, p < 0.001), time for direct patient contact (β = 0.17, p < 0.001) and ability to treat patients in a satisfactory manner (β = 0.52, p < 0.001). Job satisfaction decreased from 2020 to 2021.

Conclusions

Psychiatrists seem to be torn between treating their own patients and having medically responsible for other therapists’ patients. Time for patient contact and discussions with colleagues are crucial for psychiatrists’ well-being at work.

Keywords:

• Psychiatry
• job satisfaction
• well-being
• gender

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Data availability

The data is available at the request of the corresponding author and should only be used in accordance with the objectives of the survey.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Miriam Kristine Sandvik

Miriam Kristine Sandvik, PhD, is a specialist in psychiatry and works as a special adviser in the Norwegian Medical Association. She has completed the ICMJE form and has no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ragnar Nesvåg

Ragnar Nesvåg, PhD, is a specialist in psychiatry and head of department in the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. He was previously a special adviser in psychiatry in the Norwegian Medical Association. He has completed the ICMJE form and has no conflicts of interest to declare.

Jacob Jorem

Jacob Jorem is a specialist in psychiatry, jurist and a researcher at the Centre for Medical Ethics at the University of Oslo. He is a previous board member of the Norwegian Psychiatric Association. He has completed the ICMJE form and has no conflicts of interest to declare.

Lars Lien

Lars Lien, PhD, is a specialist in psychiatry and community medicine, and the head of the Norwegian Psychiatric Association. He is a professor at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences and advisor in the Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders at Innlandet Hospital. He has completed the ICMJE form and has no conflicts of interest to declare.