Career satisfaction in adolescent medicine. A survey of physicians trained over a 20-year period.

National data are available on the career undertakings of those trained in adolescent medicine, but longitudinal data on actual career and job satisfaction is lacking. Forty-five physicians trained in adolescent medicine from 1965 to 1985 at a large urban teaching hospital were surveyed using the Jewitt/Greenberg Career Satisfaction Questionnaire. Thirty two (71%) responded. Twenty-one (66%) were primarily in practice, eight (25%) were in academic medicine, and three (9%) were involved in administration. Five (16%) had careers in adolescent and/or young adult health care. Thirty-one (97%) claimed to at least "like" their career, and 29 (91%) felt "satisfied." Only three (9%) desired to change their career, but 11 others (34%) stated they would if they could have an equal opportunity in a new career. Four individuals (13%) would not have chosen medicine if given another chance, and 12 (30%) would not have chosen pediatrics. Greatest satisfaction was derived from patient care activities (62%), the actual work site and job (50%), and finances (40%). Dissatisfaction resulted from too little money (34%), inadequate time (25%), administrative problems (22%), and patient-related problems (22%). A large majority (72%) desired to be acknowledged as specialists. This review of graduates from a single program provides a unique perspective on the ultimate careers of trainees. A similar review of other programs may help facilitate teaching and correct programatic deficiencies. This review also suggests that careful thought should be given to a way of properly acknowledging, as specialists, those trained in adolescent medicine.