Ann Surg Treat Res.  2023 Oct;105(4):188-197. 10.4174/astr.2023.105.4.188.

Specialty impact on residents’ perceived quality of life, stress, and job satisfaction: a comparative study

• Kim BY
• Yoon I
• Han SJ
• Hong SK
• Choi S
• Kwon HJ
• Kim EK

• KMID: 2546781
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2023.105.4.188

Abstract

Purpose
Specialty choice in residency training has a significant impact on an individual’s career and satisfaction, as well as the supply-demand imbalance in the healthcare system. The current study aimed to investigate the quality of life (QOL), stress, self-confidence, and job satisfaction of residents, and to explore factors associated with such variables, including postgraduate year, sex, and especially specialty, through a cross-sectional survey.
Methods
An online survey was administered to residents at 2 affiliated teaching hospitals. The survey had a total of 46 items encompassing overall residency life such as workload, QOL, stress, confidence, relationship, harassment, and satisfaction. Related survey items were then reconstructed into 4 key categories through exploratory factor analysis for comparison according to group classification.
Results
The weekly work hours of residents in vital and other specialties were similar, but residents in vital specialties had significantly more on-call days per month. Residents in vital specialties had significantly lower scores for QOL and satisfaction. Specifically, vital-surgical residents had significantly lower QOL scores and higher stress scores than the other specialty groups. Satisfaction scores were also lowest among vital-surgical residents, with a marginal difference from vital-medical, and a significant difference from other-surgical residents. Female residents had significantly lower satisfaction scores than their male counterparts.
Conclusion
Residents in vital specialties, particularly vital-surgical specialties, experience significantly worse working conditions across multiple dimensions. It is necessary to improve not only the quantity but also the quality of the system in terms of resource allocation and prioritization.

Keyword

Internship and residency; Occupational stress; Psychological well-being; Quality of life

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Key category scores comparison between residents’ specialty subgroups. Comparisons were made between (1) vital-medical vs. vital-surgical, (2) other-medical vs. other-surgical, (3) vital-medical vs. other-medical, and (4) vital-surgical vs. other-surgical specialties. QOL, quality of life. *P < 0.05, **P <0.01.

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