What Physicians Really Think

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A study released this week shows physicians are willing to work an extra hour a week without any qualms, but if it is to be on-call then they want to be compensated far more. Investigators examined the preferences of physicians ranging from getting along with staff to compensating for staff shortages.

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland sent out surveys to nearly 3,000 physicians. They were asked their preferences on a number of issues. A value was set for each of the items and the doctors were asked to set their “price” for the importance of the issue in their opinion. The response rate was 61 percent.

The issue that piqued physicians’ interest most was being “on-call.” They were asked to set a price if their on-call schedule changed from being at home and not busy to being at the hospital and very busy. They said they would need to be compensated by an increase of about 30 percent of their income.

Having good relationships at work was also important. Physicians said an 11-percent increase in income would be fair to compensate them for fair working relations and another 10 percent would be adequate for a shortage in staff. Adding an extra hour of work weekly would require less than 1 percent extra in pay.

Female doctors placed more importance on having good relations with staff and working more hours. Those who preferred to work longer hours had higher household incomes. There were no preference differences noted when the doctors had a partner and children or not.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.