Jackson Physician Search and LocumTenens.com recently surveyed more than a thousand physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) to learn more about how they perceive their work and whether their sense of a calling in the practice of medicine has changed over time.
The responses that were submitted paint a picture of a purpose-driven workforce responding and adapting to turbulent macro forces. Drastic changes in labor supply and expanding demands placed on medical practitioners led to burnout (moral injury) and wide-scale reevaluation of their careers.
Here are the top trends and themes in the responses to this survey.
Has medicine as a calling faded over time?
Nearly 90% of survey respondents said that they viewed medicine as a calling when they began — and more than half reported that this sense of calling diminished over time. They cited day-to-day pressures of the healthcare industry as hurdles to their mission. However, many medical practitioners still find purpose in their work. About half of respondents rated their ability to live their purpose at work as a 4 or 5 out of 5. For this segment of respondents, a sense of their calling endures.
"Are you still motivated by the reasons you initially chose to go into medicine?"
Inspired by serving others
When asked about the motivation that drew them to become clinicians, respondents overwhelmingly cited altruism. In fact, 73% said that “helping others/serving humanity” was a key motivator in choosing a medical career.
Trends differ between generations and other specializations, which are detailed in the report.
Passion and job satisfaction are connected in healthcare
Evidence points to higher job satisfaction for medical practitioners who maintain a strong sense of their calling. These perceptions of passion and purpose held true despite regional factors (urban, suburban and rural medical work) and practice setting (locum tenens vs. permanent employment).
Burnout and moral injury are evolving
While burnout (often reframed as moral injury, the demands placed on clinicians by their industry) remains a concern among healthcare administrators and clinicians, the responses point to a more hopeful outlook than has been portrayed in recent years.
That said, burnout and moral injury persist as a challenge to care delivery, particularly for those who have lost the feeling of purpose in their work. The top two responses to “What could strengthen your ability to live out your life’s purpose?” were reduced administrative burdens and improved work-life balance, a common theme in previous surveys of medical workers.
Moving forward: Equipping healthcare providers for a marathon, not a sprint
Although many clinicians continue to feel a strong sense of the purpose which drives their daily work and their career paths, the report shines a light on clear opportunities for the healthcare industry to support them and foster their purpose-driven careers. Building flexibility and resilience in a workforce is meaningful not only for the teams doing the work but also for the patients who benefit from care that is clear-eyed and mission-focused.
Download the free report for a more detailed look at the trends and insights into this critical topic.
