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Determinants of Rural Physicians' Life and Job Satisfaction

Social Indicators Research volume 69, pages 93–101 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To identify and quantify factors that contribute to rural physicians' satisfaction with their jobs and life as a whole.Design: Cross-sectional, mailed survey. Study population: Family physicians practicing in rural communities eligible for British Columbia's Northern and Isolation Allowance. Main measures: Demographics, Domain satisfaction, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Life Satisfaction.Results: Stepwise multiple regressions reveal the greatest predicators of rural physician overall life satisfaction are satisfaction with jobs, personal relationships, health, finances, and absence of depression. These predictors account for 70% of the variation in rural physician overall life satisfaction. The greatest predictors of rural physician satisfaction with jobs and satisfaction with current place of residence/practice, on-call shifts, personal accomplishments, and absence of emotional exhaustion. The predictors account for 44% of the variation in rural physician job satisfaction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada

    Marcel Lavanchy, Ian Connelly, Stefan Grzybowski & Jonathan Berkowitz

  2. University of Northern British Columbia, Canada

    Alex C. Michalos

  3. University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9

    Harvey V. Thommasen

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  1. Marcel Lavanchy
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  2. Ian Connelly
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  3. Stefan Grzybowski
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  4. Alex C. Michalos
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  5. Jonathan Berkowitz
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  6. Harvey V. Thommasen
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Lavanchy, M., Connelly, I., Grzybowski, S. et al. Determinants of Rural Physicians' Life and Job Satisfaction. Social Indicators Research 69, 93–101 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SOCI.0000032662.79752.e8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SOCI.0000032662.79752.e8

  • job satisfaction
  • life satisfaction
  • physician satisfaction
  • rural health