Pediatricians' Career Satisfaction and Wellbeing by Sex Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

To compare pediatrician career satisfaction and wellbeing by sex during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic with prepandemic years using longitudinal survey data.

METHODS

Data from a cohort study, the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study, were used to examine career satisfaction and wellbeing from 2012 to 2021 among 2002-2004 and 2009-2011 residency graduates (n = 1760). Mixed effects logistic regression, including key pediatrician characteristics, examined career satisfaction and wellbeing measures for sex (female vs male), pandemic year (2012-2019 vs 2020-2021), and their interaction effect. Adjusted predicted percentage values (PVs) were determined.

RESULTS

In total, 73.4% of participants identified as female. Adjusting for key pediatrician characteristics, differences were found by sex for satisfaction and 4 of 5 wellbeing measures, by pandemic year for 2 wellbeing measures, and the interaction of sex and pandemic year for 3 wellbeing measures. Female pediatricians reported higher levels of anxiety, sadness, and work stress, with greater differences during the pandemic. For example, female pediatricians (PV = 22.6, confidence interval [CI] = 21.0-24.3) were more likely than male pediatricians (PV = 14.2, CI = 12.0-16.4) to report anxiety during pre-pandemic years, and the difference between female pediatricians (PV = 29.3, CI = 26.7-32.0) and male pediatricians (PV = 12.4, CI = 9.3-15.5) increased during pandemic years (sex by pandemic year interaction, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with male pediatricians, female pediatricians reported worse anxiety, sadness, and stress at work, and the differences were more pronounced during the pandemic.

A National Survey of Pediatricians' Experiences and Practices With Suicide Prevention

OBJECTIVE

Describe pediatricians' experiences, attitudes, and practices around suicide prevention within primary care, and examine associations between pediatricians' experiences and practices.

METHODS

The nationally representative Periodic Survey of American Academy of Pediatrics members provided data on pediatricians' patient experience with suicide risk, perceived barriers to screening for suicidal ideation (SI), preparedness to counsel about suicide prevention, interest in learning more about suicide prevention strategies, and frequency of screening for and managing suicidal ideation. Multivariable analyses examined the effect of having a patient die by or attempt suicide on screening practices.

RESULTS

A total of 41% responded to the survey with 377 respondents in the analytic sample. A total of 93% of pediatricians had a patient screen positive for SI and 81% had a patient attempt or die by suicide. A total of 61% always screened for SI and 63% reported using a standardized depression screening tool and 9% a suicide-specific tool. Respondents who had a patient attempt or die by suicide were more likely to screen for SI (OR, 2.05, 95% CI, 1.16-3.63) and use a standardized depression screening instrument (OR, 2.34, 95% CI, 1.29-4.24). Patient reluctance to discuss mental health was the most frequently cited barrier (51%) followed by lack of time (49%) and lack of treatment options (43%). Over 90% of respondents assessed for a plan and referred to mental health services when suicidal ideation was identified.

CONCLUSION

Although pediatricians frequently see patients with suicide risk, 39% do not always screen for SI. Educational efforts are needed to improve pediatricians' assessment and management of suicide risk given new guidelines.

Different Measures and Ways to Categorize Pediatrician Burnout and the Association with Satisfaction

OBJECTIVE

Compare pediatrician burnout when measured and categorized in different ways to better understand burnout and the association with satisfaction.

STUDY DESIGN

We analyzed national survey data from a cohort study of early to midcareer pediatricians. In 2017, participants randomly received 1 of 3 question sets measuring burnout components (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment): group A received the Maslach Burnout Inventory, group B received a previously used measure, and group C received a new severe measure. Repeated measures ANOVA tested differences across burnout categorizations: high emotional exhaustion and high depersonalization and low personal accomplishment; high emotional exhaustion and high depersonalization; and high emotional exhaustion or high depersonalization. Logistic regression tested relationships between burnout profiles (engaged, intermediate, and burnout) and satisfaction. Seventy-one percent of participants completed the survey (1279/1800).

RESULTS

Burnout varied depending on measurement (groups A, B, and C) and categorization. For example, for group A, when categorized as high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment, burnout was lower (4.8%) than categorized as high emotional exhaustion and depersonalization (15.2%) (P < .001) or categorized as high emotional exhaustion or depersonalization (44.6%) (P < .001). Most participants were satisfied with their career (83.6%). Using burnout profiles, 38.4%-85.1% fell in the engaged profile. For each group, burnout profiles were associated with satisfaction. For example, group A participants in the burnout or intermediate profile were less likely than those engaged to be satisfied with their careers (aOR, 0.08 [95% CI, 0.03-0.24]; and aOR, 0.23 [95% CI, 0.10-0.56], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The way burnout is measured and categorized affects burnout prevalence and its association with satisfaction. Transparency in methodology used is critical to interpreting results.

Changes in Work Characteristics and Pediatrician Satisfaction: 2012-2020

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association of changes in pediatricians' work characteristics with their satisfaction using longitudinal data.

METHODS

Data from a cohort study, the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study (PLACES), were used to examine self-reported work satisfaction from 2012 to 2020 among 2002-2004 and 2009-2011 residency graduates (N = 1794). Drawing from the Physician Worklife Study, work satisfaction was measured as a 4-item scale score and averaged [range, 1 (low)-5 (high)]. Mixed effects linear regression for longitudinal analysis examined work satisfaction with year as the lone explanatory variable and then with 11 variables that might change over time (time variant) to assess how changes in work might be linked to increased or decreased satisfaction.

RESULTS

In total, 85.9% of pediatricians in 2020 (September-December) thought their work was personally rewarding. Overall mean work satisfaction scale score displayed a small but significant (P < .001) decrease over time (3.80 in 2012 to 3.69 in 2020). Mixed effects modeling identified several changes associated with increasing work satisfaction over time: increased flexibility in work hours (B = 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.25) and personal support from physician colleagues (B = 0.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.15 to 0.21) had the largest associations. Pediatricians reporting increased stress balancing work and personal responsibilities and increased work hours had decreased satisfaction scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Early- to midcareer pediatricians expressed high levels of work satisfaction, though, satisfaction scale scores decreased slightly over time for the sample overall, including during 2020 (year 1 of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic). Pediatricians reporting increases in flexibility with work hours and colleague support showed the strongest increase in work satisfaction.

High-Deductible Health Plans for US Children: Trends, Health Service Use, and Financial Barriers to Care

OBJECTIVE

Few studies have examined children's enrollment in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and associations with health service use. We examine trends, health service use, and financial barriers to care for US children with high-deductible private insurance.

METHODS

Trend data on HDHP enrollment were available for 58,910 children ages 0 to 17 with private insurance from the 2007 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey. Health service indicators were examined in a cross-sectional sample of 23,959 children in the 2014-2018 datasets. High deductible was defined as a minimum of $2,700 for a family in 2018. Chi-square tests examined associations of HDHPs with health service indicators. Logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographics and child health.

RESULTS

The percent of privately insured children with HDHPs increased from 18.4% to 48.6% from 2007 to 2018. In adjusted regression, those with HDHPs fared worse than those with traditional plans on 7 of 10 measures and those with HDHPs and no health savings account (HSA) fared worse on eight. While small differences were found for various child-focused measures, the most consistent differences were found for family-focused measures. Parents with HDHPs were more likely than parents with traditional private insurance to report they had delayed or forgone their medical care (10.2% vs 5.7%), had problems paying medical bills (15.7% vs 10.3%), and had family medical debt (34.1% vs 25.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Privately insured families have seen substantial growth in high-deductible plans in the last decade. Families with HDHPs, especially those without HSAs, have more financial barriers to care.

Trends in Pediatricians' Developmental Screening: 2002-2016

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend screening children for developmental problems by using a standardized screening tool and referring at-risk patients to early intervention (EI) or subspecialists. Adoption of guidelines has been gradual, with research showing many children still not being screened and referred.

METHODS

We analyzed American Academy of Pediatrics Periodic Survey data from 2002 (response rate = 58%; N = 562), 2009 (response rate = 57%; N = 532), and 2016 (response rate = 47%, N = 469). Surveys included items on pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding screening and referring children for developmental problems. We used descriptive statistics and a multivariable logistic regression model to examine trends in screening and referral practices and attitudes.

RESULTS

Pediatricians' reported use of developmental screening tools increased from 21% in 2002 to 63% in 2016 (P < .001). In 2016, on average pediatricians reported referring 59% of their at-risk patients to EI, up from 41% in 2002 (P < .001), and pediatricians in 2016 were more likely than in 2002 to report being "very likely" to refer a patient with global developmental delay, milestone loss, language delay, sensory impairment, motor delays, and family concern to EI.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatricians' reported use of a standardized developmental screening tool has tripled from 2002 to 2016, and more pediatricians are self-reporting making referrals for children with concerns in developmental screening. To sustain this progress, additional efforts are needed to enhance referral systems, improve EI programs, and provide better tracking of child outcomes.

Clinical counseling on sun protection and indoor tanning avoidance: A survey of current practices among U.S. health care providers

Clinicians can play a role in skin cancer prevention by counseling their patients on use of sun protection and indoor tanning avoidance. We used data from the 2016 DocStyles, a web-based survey of U.S. primary care providers, to examine skin cancer prevention counseling practices among 1506 providers. In 2018, we conducted logistic regression analyses to examine factors associated with regularly providing counseling. Almost half (48.5%) of all providers reported regularly counseling on sun protection, and 27.4% reported regularly counseling on indoor tanning. Provider characteristics associated with regular counseling included having practiced medicine for at least 16 years (sun protection: adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15, 1.41; indoor tanning: aPR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.17, 1.63), having treated sunburn in the past year (sun protection: aPR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.46, 2.17; indoor tanning: aPR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.73, 3.39), and awareness of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations (sun protection: aPR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.51, 2.00; indoor tanning: aPR = 2.70, 95% CI = 2.09, 3.48). Reporting barriers to counseling was associated with a lower likelihood of regularly counseling on sun protection (1-3 barriers: aPR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71, 0.94; 4+ barriers: aPR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.69, 0.93) and indoor tanning (1-3 barriers: aPR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.57, 0.91; 4+ barriers: aPR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.47, 0.78). Barriers to counseling included lack of time (58.1%), more urgent health concerns (49.1%), and patient disinterest (46.3%). Although many providers report regularly counseling patients on skin cancer prevention, most report serious barriers to providing such counseling. Additional research could explore strategies to integrate compelling and informative skin cancer prevention counseling into current provider practices.

Sleep, Physical Activity, and General Health Status: US Pediatricians and the General US Adult Population

OBJECTIVE

To examine US pediatricians and US adults on 3 self-reported health measures (sleep, physical activity, and general health status) and to assess factors related to these measures for each group.

METHODS

Pediatrician data were collected through a 2012 American Academy of Pediatrics Periodic Survey (response rate = 64.0%). US population data originated from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (response rate = 61.2%). Analytic samples included those currently working and ≥30 years old and were restricted to post-trainees (pediatricians; n = 854) and US adults with at least a bachelor's degree (n = 5447). Accounting for sample demographic differences, predicted probabilities compared the proportions reporting ≥7 hours of sleep, meeting physical activity recommendations, and reporting very good or excellent health. Multivariable logistic regression examined characteristics associated with health measures for pediatricians and US adults separately.

RESULTS

When the US population demographic profile was adjusted to resemble the pediatrician sample, 7 in 10 pediatricians (71.2%; confidence interval [CI], 68.0-74.5) and US adults (69.9%; CI, 67.8-72.0) reported ≥7 hours of sleep. Pediatricians were more likely than US adults to meet physical activity recommendations (71.4%; CI, 68.0-74.8 vs. 62.9%; CI, 60.6-65.2) and less likely to report very good or excellent health (74.3%; CI, 71.2-77.3 vs. 80.2%; CI, 78.3-82.1). In pediatrician and US population multivariable models, self-identified Asians and those working ≥50 hours were less likely to get ≥7 hours of sleep (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Most US pediatricians and US adults reported getting the recommended amounts of sleep and physical activity and rated their health as very good or excellent. Those working fewer hours reported more sleep. Organization-directed approaches may be needed to help physicians maintain and improve their health.

Counseling on Sun Protection and Indoor Tanning

BACKGROUND

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends clinical counseling for individuals ages 10 to 24 years to decrease skin cancer risk.

METHODS

A national, random sample of US American Academy of Pediatrics members practicing primary care in 2002 (response rate 55%) and 2015 (response rate 43%). Surveys explored attitudes and experiences regarding sun protection counseling; indoor tanning questions were added in 2015. χ² tests compared demographics and counseling responses across years, and multivariable logistic regression models examined counseling predictors.

RESULTS

More pediatricians in 2015 (34%) than in 2002 (23%) reported discussing sun protection during recent summer months with ≥75% of patients. This pattern held across all patient age groups (each P <.001). Female and suburban pediatricians counseled more; those in the South and West counseled less. More pediatricians in 2015 than in 2002 named time as a barrier. Sun protection ranked lowest among preventive topics in both years. In 2015, approximately one-third of pediatricians reported discussing indoor tanning at least once with 10 to 13 year-old patients; approximately half discussed this with older adolescents. Most (70%) did not know if their states had laws on minors' indoor tanning access; those stating they knew whether a law existed counseled more.

CONCLUSIONS

Although improved, sun protection counseling rates remain low. Indoor tanning counseling can be improved. Because early-life exposure to UV radiation increases risk and clinician counseling can positively impact prevention behaviors, pediatricians have an important role in skin cancer prevention; counseling may save lives. Time constraints remain a barrier.

A Study of Pediatricians' Debt Repayment a Decade After Completing Residency

PURPOSE

Pediatricians' education debt has been increasing. Less is known about the pace of their debt repayment. The authors examined patterns of debt repayment for pediatricians who completed residency from 2002-2004.

METHOD

The authors analyzed weighted 2013 survey data from the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study. They categorized participants based on education debt level at residency completion ($0; $1-$49,999; $50,000-$99,999; $100,000-$149,999; ≥ $150,000) and explored debt repayment and well-being by starting debt group using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 830 pediatricians surveyed, 266 (32%) had no starting debt and 166 (20%) had ≥ $150,000 in starting debt. A decade after residency, the percentage of participants who completely repaid their debt varied from 76% (68/89) of those with $1-$49,999 of starting debt to 15% (25/164) of those with ≥ $150,000 of starting debt. The percentage of participants concerned about their debt increased with starting debt level, with over half of those in the highest group concerned. Starting debt was associated with all examined measures of debt repayment and with recent financial difficulties among those in the two highest debt groups ($100,000-$149,999: adjusted odds ratio = 3.82, confidence interval = 1.17-12.43; ≥ $150,000: adjusted odds ratio = 4.55, confidence interval = 1.47-14.14).

CONCLUSIONS

A decade after completing residency, pediatricians had made progress repaying their debt, yet many still expressed concern, especially those with the greatest amount of starting debt. As debt levels continue to increase, these issues could worsen.