The Institutional, Professional, and Societal Drivers of Job Satisfaction and Wellbeing Among Physicians

Investigator: Tania Jenkins, PhD

Objective: Burnout is a prominent and growing topic in the healthcare workforce literature. However, much of the research takes place at the individual level. This study used a novel socio-ecological framework adapted from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) systems model to examine the interplay between individual, institutional, professional, and systems-level factors in shaping physicians’ responses to their work conditions across the career span of physicians.

Methods: The ethnographic study took place from December 2020 to August 2021 and examined pediatricians and trainees at an academic primary care pediatrics clinic affiliated with a University. In addition to observations, the study conducted interviews with 65 attendings, residents, medical students, and clinic staff or administrators.

Select Findings: Using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, 63% of those interviewed exhibited at least 1 symptom of burnout: high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization or low personal accomplishment. Structural factors at the institutional, professional, and societal level shaped physician wellbeing & job satisfaction. Because structural factors exacerbate one another, interventions must be holistically designed to address multiple factors simultaneously

Policy Implications: Policy interventions at various structural levels should consider: 1) institutionally supporting interprofessional teams and spaces, 2) professionally (re)balancing service and learning in GME, and 3) societally empowering physicians of color.

 

Project Products: 

Manuscript
  • Jenkins, TM. Physicians as shock absorbers: The system of structural factors driving burnout and dissatisfaction in medicine. Social Science & Medicine. 13 October 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116311
View the manuscript

 

Research Brief
  • Jenkins, T. The Institutional, Professional, and Societal Drivers of Job Satisfaction and Wellbeing Among Physicians. Policy Brief. Carolina Health Workforce Research Center, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, UNC-CH. 2021 Sept 23.
View the research brief

 

Presentations, webinars, and refereed conference papers and posters
  • Jenkins T. Physicians as Shock Absorbers: The Structural Sources of Discontent in Medicine. American Sociological Association. 2024 Annual Meeting. Montreal, Quebec.
  • Jenkins, T. 2023 April. Physicians as Shock Absorbers: The Structural Sources of Discontent in Medicine. AcademyHealth. Health Workforce Interest Group. Webinar.
  • Jenkins T. Physicians As Shock Absorbers: The Structural Sources of Discontent in Medicine. HWTAC/HWIG Webinar Presentation. April 2023.
  • Jenkins, T. Physicians as Shock Absorbers: The Structural Sources of Discontent in Medicine. Southern Sociological Society meetings. March 2023. Myrtle Beach, SC.
  • Jenkins, Tania M. “How a changing healthcare landscape shapes wellbeing in medicine.” Presentation accepted to the Mini-Conference on the Sociology of Health Professions Education at the Eastern Sociological Society meetings, March 10-13, 2022.
  • Jenkins, T. The Structural Underpinnings of Satisfaction and Wellbeing Among Physicians. Presentation to HRSA-BHW Meeting. Sept. 16, 2021. Virtual.
  • Jenkins TM. “Banging Pots and Pans for Healthcare Heroes: A Sociologist’s Look at How Heightened Societal Expectations May be Exacerbating Burnout During COVID-19” accepted for panel discussion at the Pediatric Academic Societies Conference Scheduled May 2, 2021.
  • Jenkins TM. The Structural Underpinnings of Satisfaction and Wellbeing Among Physicians. March 5, 2021. Los Angles Sociology Health Working Group.