Satisfaction with Life amongst Psychiatrists and General Physicians: demographic and career variables

Abstract

Background: positive psychology and the science of happiness have impacted many realms in academia, including medicine. Recent reports from several countries suggest that physicians are unhappy with their profession. Aim: to assess levels of happiness amongst Israeli physicians and its’ correlates. Method: participants in professional meetings endorsed the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and a questionnaire detailing personal data (age, gender, marital status, number of children), specialty years as a physician and their state of health. Results: 223 physicians (131 psychiatrists, 92 primary care) completed the survey. The response rate was higher than 75%. Mean SWLS score for all 223 physicians was 23.6 ± 5.7 and did not differ between specialties’ (p = 0.39). No differences from reported norms amongst the general population were found. The only signifycant association with SWLS scores was number of children (r = 0.23; p = 0.0006). Selection bias was inherent in this type of survey. Conclusion: satisfaction with life amongst Israeli physicians is equal to reported national means and may be supported by variables outside the professional sphere.