The role of the psychiatrist: Job satisfaction of medical directors and staff psychiatrists

In a previous survey of Columbia University Public Psychiatry Fellowship al umni, medical directors reported experiencing higher job satisfaction compa red to staff psychiatrists. To further this inquiry, the authors conducted an expanded survey among the membership of the American Association of Comm unity Psychiatrists (AACP). We mailed a questionnaire to all AACP members. Respondents categorized their positions as staff psychiatrist, program medi cal director or agency medical director, and rated their overall job satisf action. The form also included a number of demographic and job characterist ic items. Of 479 questionnaires mailed, a total of 286 individuals returned questionnaires (61%-12 forms were undeliverable). As in our previous surve y, medical directors experience significantly higher job satisfaction compa red to staff psychiatrists. Program and agency medical directors do not dif fer significantly. In addition, job satisfaction is strongly and negatively correlated with age for staff psychiatrists but not for medical directors. This survey strengthens the previously reported advantage medical director s have over staff psychiatrists regarding job satisfaction. The finding tha t job satisfaction decreases with increasing age of staff psychiatrists but not medical directors is particularly interesting, suggesting that staff p sychiatrist positions may come to be regarded as "dead-end" over time. Psyc hiatrists are advised to seek promotions to program medical director positi ons early in their careers, since these positions are far more available, a nd provide equal job satisfaction, compared to agency medical director posi tions.