PharmD or BS: does the degree really make a difference in pharmacists' job satisfaction?

Secondary analysis of data obtained during the 1982 Socioeconomic Survey of California Pharmacists compared practice patterns and job satisfaction of BS and PharmD level practitioners. Questionnaires were mailed to 2,864 pharmacists in April 1982. Questionnaires were returned by 1,463 pharmacists yielding a response rate of 51 percent. Of those responding, 1,030 were currently practicing with either a BS or PharmD as their highest degree. Results indicate that BS level practitioners are more likely to be in hospital management or staff positions. The percent of time spent educating the public, pharmacy students and other health care professionals was the only job activity in which BS and PharmD practitioners differed to a statistically significant degree. Time spent processing the prescription and management activities had the most influence on job satisfaction. Academic degree did not have a statistically significant effect upon job satisfaction. These results suggest that when PharmD and BS pharmacists spend an equivalent amount of time doing the same job related activities, PharmD pharmacists are no more dissatisfied with their positions than are BS pharmacists.