Purpose: To assess overall job satisfaction among Canadian anesthesiologist
s and examine contributing factors.
Methods: A confidential postal survey of all active members of the Canadian
Anesthesiologists Society was conducted in 1998. Demographics, anesthesia
practice, overall job satisfaction, anesthetic assistance, and perceived su
rgeons' and public attitudes towards anesthesiologists were collected.
Results: Of 1659 surveys sent, 946 were returned (57% response rate). Seven
ty-five percent of the respondents were male and 25% female. Staff comprize
d 91%, residents 9%. The average working week was 59 +/- 11.9 hr. Seventy-f
ive percent of respondents reported overall job satisfaction. job satisfact
ion was associated with intellectual stimulation, good quality of care and
interaction with patients. Dissatisfaction stemmed from treatment from the
provincial government, hospital politics and long hours. job satisfaction w
as associated with satisfaction with the level of operating room (OR) assis
tance, perceived high surgical regard and public image. Residents were more
satisfied than staff anesthesiologists. Over-all satisfaction was not affe
cted by age, gender, region of practice, type of hospital or clinical work.
Conclusions: job satisfaction among anesthesiologists is significantly asso
ciated with intellectual stimulation, quality of care, interaction with the
patients, treatment from the provincial government, hospital politics, wor
king hours, OR assistance and perceived attitude of surgeons. Improving the
se contributing factors may lead to higher job satisfaction.