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Can hospital‐based doctors change their working hours? Evidence from A ustralia
Author(s) -
Norman R.,
Hall J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1111/imj.12414
Subject(s) - medicine , attrition , working hours , preference , working time , work hours , family medicine , work (physics) , mechanical engineering , dentistry , labour economics , engineering , economics , microeconomics
Abstract Background and Aims To explore factors predicting hospital‐based doctors’ desire to work less, and then their success in making that change. Methods Consecutive waves of an A ustralian longitudinal survey of doctors ( M edicine in A ustralia – B alancing E mployment and L ife). There were 6285 and 6337 hospital‐based completers in the two waves, consisting of specialists, hospital‐based non‐specialists and specialist registrars. Results Forty‐eight per cent stated a preference to reduce hours. Predictive characteristics were being female and working more than 40 h/week (both P < 0.01). An inverted U ‐shape relationship was observed for age, with younger and older doctors less likely to state the preference. Factors associated with not wanting to reduce working hours were being in excellent health and being satisfied with work (both P < 0.01). Of those who wanted to reduce working hours, only 32% successfully managed to do so in the subsequent year (defined by a reduction of at least 5 h/week). Predictors of successfully reducing hours were being older, female and working more than 40 h/week (all P < 0.01). Conclusion Several factors predict the desire of hospital‐based doctors to reduce hours and then their subsequent success in doing so. Designing policies that seek to reduce attrition may alleviate some of the ongoing pressures in the A ustralian hospital system.