Work values and job satisfaction of family physicians

Theory and prior research suggest linkages between work values and job satisfaction. The present study examined such linkages in a group of workers in a professional occupation. Family physicians (134 women, 206 men, 88% Caucasian) responded to context-specific measures of work values and job satisfaction. ANOVA results indicated a work values hierarchy of Autonomy, Service, Lifestyle, Scholarly Pursuits, Management, and Prestige in decreasing order of importance. Canonical correlation analysis yielded a significant function with three work values collectively predicting job satisfaction: Lifestyle (negatively) and Service and Scholarly Pursuits (positively) in decreasing order of magnitude. The study findings may be useful to medical students in the specialty choice process, to medical school faculty advising such students, and to currently practicing physicians contemplating career specialty change. Future research may examine work values and job satisfaction differences across employment and geographic settings, give increased attention to cultural variables, and include intervention studies and longitudinal designs.

► Distinct work values hierarchy was found for family physicians.
► Work values predict job satisfaction facets to varying degrees.
► Canonical analysis indicates links between values and job satisfaction types.
► Findings may promote medical specialty choice process.
► Future research implications, including longitudinal studies, were described.