A Volunteer Passion: A Qualitative Look at How We Measure and Reward the Work of Medical Educators.

Background  Medical educators face many challenges, including the absence of defined roles, lack of standard career paths, and limited support in systems that generally prioritize research and clinical productivity over educational activities. Providers also teach to widely varying degrees. This study was designed to specifically examine the professional rewards and obstacles experienced by physicians who have dedicated significant energy and career focus to medical education. Methodology A phenomenological approach was used in this qualitative study. Purposeful sampling was utilized to identify medical educators from different institutions and geographical areas. Participants were categorized by gender and career stage. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop themes across items and participants. Results Twenty-two medical educators were interviewed (11 males, 11 females), with an average age of 51 (range: 38-72) years. The average time from completion of training was 18 years (range: <1 to 41 years). Two main themes were constructed, which related to medical educators' career motivations and challenges: (1) Joy and purpose (subthemes: Interaction with learners, Impact, and Innovation) and (2) Everyone teaches (subthemes: Lack of recognition, Lack of reward, Malalignment of metrics) Conclusions The greatest source of motivation and satisfaction for medical educators is linked to the work itself; in addition to interactions with learners, educators derive pleasure from the innovation, collaboration, and systems thinking involved in their work. Importantly, participants also experience dissatisfaction, primarily due to a lack of recognition and reward, and metrics that do not consistently demonstrate their achievements. Participants provided examples of metrics that more accurately reflected the work of education; they identified clear benefits of academic promotion; and they highlighted significant challenges in the promotional system. The implementation of appropriate systems of measurement and reward is needed to better support the work of medical educators. Our aim should be not only to increase opportunities for satisfaction but also to reduce factors that cause frustration and limit advancement.

Long working hours, work-related stressors and sleep disturbances among Chinese government employees: A large population-based follow-up study.

Currently, evidence on the associations between long working hours and sleep disturbances among the Chinese workers is lacking. This study aimed at explore the possible associations and underlying mechanisms between long working hours and sleep disturbances among Chinese government employees. A total of 16206 government employees were recruited at baseline and 11806 of which were available at follow-up. A digital self-reported questionnaire platform was established to collect information. Sleep disturbances were assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), long working hours was assessed by self-report. Binary logistic regression analysis and path analysis were conducted. The results showed that long working hours at baseline were significantly associated with poor sleep quality at follow up (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12 - 1.47). Long working hours at baseline were significantly associated with some specific sleep disturbance components at follow-up including long sleep latency (OR = 1.17, 95%CI: 1.01 - 1.38), as well as short sleep duration (OR = 1.26, 95%CI: 1.12 - 1.43), impairment of sleep efficiency (OR = 1.27, 95%CI: 1.01 - 1.26), sleep disturbances (OR: 1.39, 95%CI: 1.02 - 1.95) and daytime dysfunction (OR: 1.27, 95%CI: 1.08 - 1.49). Work stress and job dissatisfaction mediated the relationship between long working hours and sleep disturbances. Continued overtime work should be recognized as a risk factor for the development of sleep disturbances among Chinese government employees. Work stress and work dissatisfaction mediated the relationship between long working hours and sleep disturbances. Effective interventions should be provided to employees who have experienced long working hours.

Work Dissatisfaction and Sleep Problems among Canadians in the Latter Half of Life.

This study examined the relationship between work dissatisfaction and sleep problems among Canadian adults in the latter half of life, as well as how gender and social contact moderate this relationship. Data were obtained from the Canadian General Social Survey, Cycle 21 (2007), which sampled adults aged 45 and older in 2007. Analyses focused on individuals with employment as their main activity. Analyses show that work dissatisfaction positively predicts trouble sleeping. There are no significant gender differences in this relationship. Social contact with friends buffers this relationship, but social contact with family does not, and buffering does not vary significantly between men and women. This research contributes to knowledge on sleep problems by showing that work dissatisfaction is adversely associated with sleep problems among Canadians in the latter half of life, but social contact with friends can weaken this deleterious relationship.