OBJECTIVE: The practice activities and career satisfaction of obstetricians and gynecologists in private practice were compared with those in a teaching faculty setting. STUDY DESIGN: The 475 fellows of the South Atlantic Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists were surveyed; 314 responses (66.1%) were received. Private practice and teaching faculty respondents were compared regarding practice description, factors influencing choice of practice type, practice activities, and career satisfaction. Data were examined by chi2 testing and analysis of variance. RESULTS: Patient care involvement was the primary influence in practice choice by 86.0% of private practitioners; interest in teaching was the most important single factor for 58.2% of the teaching faculty. Significantly more teaching faculty than private practitioners had done research work during residency (81.2% vs 53.4%, p < 0.001). There were no differences regarding presentations at medical meetings during residency or publications from work performed during residency. The private practice group recorded more nights on call and more scheduled time off. The teaching faculty showed more publications, continuing medical education credits, hours worked per week, and medical meeting attendance. There were no differences in vacation days, malpractice charges, or expert witness appearances. The group showed no significant differences in their ratings of career satisfaction, but more of the teaching faculty group would elect again to enter obstetrics and gynecology if completing school today (82.4% vs 55.3%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Professional activities of private practice physicians differ from those of teaching faculty physicians. The great majority of both groups are satisfied with their careers.
