Career and parenting satisfaction among medical students, residents and physician teachers at a Canadian medical school

Background: Studies of career and parenting satisfaction have focused separ ately on medical students, residents and practising physicians. The objecti ve of this study was to compare satisfaction across a spectrum of stages of medical career. Methods: A survey of incoming medical students, current medical students, r esidents and physician teachers at the University of Saskatchewan was condu cted in the spring of 1997. Response rates were 77% (43/56), 81% (177/218), 65% (134/206) and 39% (215/554) respectively. Factors assessed in the step wise regression analysis were the effect of sex, parenting and level of tra ining on the likelihood of recommending parenting to medical students or re sidents, and on parenting dissatisfaction, job dissatisfaction, career diss atisfaction and the importance of flexibility within the college program to accommodate family obligations. Results: More male than female physician teachers had partners (92% v. 81%, p < 0.01) and were parents (94% v. 72%, p < 0.01). Female physician teache rs spent equal hours per week at work compared with their male counterparts (mean 52 and 58 hours respectively) and more than double the weekly time o n family and household work (36 v. 14 hours, p < 0.01). Physician teachers were the most likely respondents to recommend parenting to residents and th eir peers. Residents were the most dissatisfied with their parenting time. At all career stages women were less likely than men to recommend parenting , were more dissatisfied with the amount of time spent as parents and were more likely to regard flexibility within the college program as beneficial. There were no sex-related differences in job dissatisfaction and career di ssatisfaction. However, married women were more dissatisfied with their job s than were married men. Job dissatisfaction was greatest among medical stu dents, and career dissatisfaction was greatest among residents. Interpretation: The optimal timing of parenthood appears to be upon complet ion of medical training. Women were less likely to recommend parenting, les s satisfied with the time available for parenting and more likely to value flexibility within the college program to accommodate family needs. These d ifferences did not translate into women experiencing more job or career dis satisfaction.