It's about time - Associations between working time dimensions and well-being of physicians

Several working time characteristics have been linked to negative outcomes for health personnel. The aim was to investigate the impact of working time dimensions on well-being in a representative sample of physicians. Data was collected during a baseline study. Linear regression analysis was performed on a sample including 669 physicians of different medical specialties. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics and information on working time dimensions (e.g. shift work). In addition, job satisfaction, workload and self-reported health were explored. The majority were female, working in internal medicine and the mean age was 42.5 years. Findings reveal that overtime hours (beta = -0.478, p = .011) and autonomy (beta = 0.444, p < .001) were significantly associated with job satisfaction. The number of free weekends (beta = -2.622, p = .005) and autonomy significantly predicted personal (beta = -6.153, p < .001), work-related (beta = -6.597, p < .001) and patient-related workload (beta = -4.731, p < .001). Overall health was only affected by working time autonomy (beta = 3.804, p < .001). In conclusion, the study suggests that working time characteristics have negative consequences for well-being and need to be addressed to ensure health, performance and safety of physicians.