High Number Of Doctors Unhappy In Their Profession

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Next time you see your doctor you might want to ask if he or she is happy.

According to the most recent study, 42% say they are 'dissatisfied' or 'very dissatisfied' in their medical practices, and 59% say they are unlikely to encourage a young person to go into medicine. Only 16% report having a generally favorable outlook about the future of their careers.

The report was not all doom and gloom for the medical profession. Those satisfied physicians were male, over age 45, and anesthesiologists, dermatologists, or pediatric or surgical subspecialists.

As for the least satisfied physicians, they were more likely to be female, younger than 45, and internists or family physicians. Others with a negative view were those in emergency medicine, critical care and radiology.

The type of practice made a big difference as well. Those doctors who own a practice, are locum tenens physicians, or are employees of a practice owned by a hospital or health system are more likely to be unhappy.