Over the past decade, both male and female early and midcareer pediatricians have reported strong levels of satisfaction with their chosen profession. Eight in 10 pediatricians participating in the AAP Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study (PLACES) agree with the statement, “I am satisfied with my career as a physician,” a rate that has stayed consistent over time.
At the same time, female pediatricians are more likely than males to report feeling stressed at work or anxious, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an AAP study (Frintner MP, et al. Pediatrics. 2024;153:e2023063345, https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2023-063345).
Drawing on the unique strength of PLACES to follow the same pediatricians over their careers, the study compared measures of career satisfaction and well-being between female and male pediatricians before (2012-’19) and during (2020-’21) the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, 81% of female and 87% of male pediatricians reported satisfaction with their careers, levels that did not diminish during the pandemic. However, 23% of female pediatricians reported feeling anxious or nervous very or fairly often before the pandemic, and the percentage increased to 29% during pandemic years (see figure). Fewer male pediatricians reported feeling anxious before or during the pandemic.
Female pediatricians also were more likely than male pediatricians to report feeling very stressed at work, which also increased during the pandemic.
PLACES tracks pediatricians’ career and life choices and experiences across their careers. This study of career satisfaction and well-being trends included 1,760 pediatricians who graduated residency in 2009-’11 and 2002-’04 and practice primary, hospital or subspecialty care. The commitment among pediatricians participating in PLACES has been strong, with eight in 10 completing the survey each year.
Resources
- For more information on the AAP Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study, visit http://www.aap.org/places or contact Liz Gottschlich at 630-626-6627 or [email protected].
- AAP physician health and wellness resources
- AAP clinical report Physician Health and Wellness
