Examining Early Career Pediatrician Characteristics, Sacrifices, and Satisfaction

• Published in: Academic pediatrics 2023-04, Vol.23 (3), p.587-596
• Main Authors: Webber, Sarah A., Byrne, Bobbi J., Starmer, Amy Jost, Somberg, Chloe A., Frintner, Mary Pat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Career Choice; Child; Female; Humans; Job Satisfaction; pediatrician workforce; Pediatricians; Personal Satisfaction; physician parents; physician well-being; Physicians; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1876-2859; 1876-2867
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.01.005

Explore relationships between pediatrician characteristics, sacrifices made for career, and career and life satisfaction. Surveys of early career pediatricians (ECPs) who recently graduated residency (2016–18), as part of the AAP Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study (PLACES) were administered in 2019. Logistic regression analyzed association of pediatrician characteristics with personal sacrifices (a lot vs some or no sacrifices) made for one's career and whether career was worth the sacrifices made to become a physician, and association of characteristics and sacrifices with overall career and life satisfaction. Of 918 ECPs in the cohort, 90% responded to the 2019 survey. Seventy-seven percent agreed their career was worth the sacrifices and 40% reported they made a lot of personal sacrifices for their career. In multivariable analysis, female sex was associated with lower odds of viewing career as worth the sacrifices made [adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28–0.71], a higher odds of delaying starting a family [aOR 2.25; CI, 1.32–3.86] and making sacrifices in having children for career [aOR 2.60; CI, 1.48–4.58]. Those in fellowship training also reported making more sacrifices related to having children for their career [aOR 1.73; CI, 1.08–2.78]. ECPs who reported making a lot of sacrifices for their career were less likely to be satisfied with their overall career and life. Most ECPs believe their sacrifices to become a pediatrician were worth it. Female pediatricians were less likely to feel personal sacrifices were worth it and reported more sacrifices related to having children.