[Job satisfaction and prospects of internal medicine specialists in Austria--an analysis of the profession].

BACKGROUND: In the second half of the 20th century the medical profession has changed considerably. "The golden age of medicine" seems to be over. This study analyses job satisfaction and prospects of Austrian physicians in the twenty-first century.
METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all 289 internal medicine specialists in Upper Austria (the third largest of the nine Austrian provinces, with more than one million inhabitants). The main topics were: career choice, job satisfaction, and strategies for the future. Also aspects such as group practices, the position of general internal medicine physicians as opposed to those with further specialisation (e.g. cardiologists, nephrologists, etc.) were addressed.
RESULTS: Austrian internal medicine specialists are generally content with their job, most of them would study medicine and specialize in internal medicine again. They experience more job satisfaction than their German colleagues. However, Austrian internal medicine specialists suffer from the additional workload caused by administration and bureaucracy. There is a general consensus among most internal medicine physicians that nowadays patients expect them to provide more information. Particularly doctors employed at hospitals experience a more aggressive attitude and an increased readiness to sue in their patients. Although 75% look positively towards the future, two thirds expect a cutback in their economic situation. The majority of Austrian internal medicine specialists consider group practices to be the way of the future.
CONCLUSION: The vast majority of Austrian internal medicine specialists are satisfied with their job. Although the majority expects economic cutbacks in the future, most would study medicine and specialize in internal medicine again. Group practices are considered to be the way of the future.