Gender differences in job satisfaction, mental health and work environments of hospital internists in Japan / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe gender differences in job satisfaction, mental health and work conditions of Japanese hospital internists <br>METHODS: A self-administered, mailed survey was conducted among hospital internists throughout Japan. The survey included questions such as job satisfaction, time allotted for an ambulatory patient, and work environments. <br>RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-four hospital internists were eligible (59 women). Female internists allotted more time for each patient in an ambulatory care setting than their male colleagues (new patient/consultation P<0.01, routine follow ups P=0.046). Female internists worked continuously for as long as their male colleagues when they were on night duty (average 31.1 hours), but their replies indicated that they were not able to maintain continuous high-quality care for as long as the male internists (-4 hours, P=0.02). <br>CONCLUSIONS: Female internists allotted more time for each ambulatory patient, and their replies showed that they were able to maintain quality care continuously for less time than were the males.