Employment, economic and academic situation, as a quality of life dimension of physicians at the metropolitan region

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the working conditions, economic and academic situation of a representative group of Chilean physicians in the Metropolitan Region. To examine the relationships between these characteristics on one hand, and sex and age, on the other. Methodology: Quantitative, cross sectional design. The variables were recorded by “EVALMED” instrument, which is an anonymous, self-applied instrument. An informed consent document was previously signed by the participants. The physicians who made up the sample were randomly selected from the database of the Regional Medical Council of Santiago. We arranged for 95% confidence and 5% error limits and for a response rate of 80%. Results: We studied 163 physicians (58.9% men and 41.1% women) of all age groups. There were significant sex and age differences in the various aspects of labor assessed, in particular in the type of employment contract, income, type of work, working hours, work perceptions and work environment. Women and physicians of both young and senior age groups were found to be at a disadvantage.