Job characteristics that enrich clinician-educators’ career: a theory-informed exploratory survey

Clinician educators (CEs) play a vital role in helping academic institutions achieve the missions of patient care, education and research. The driving forces that motivate pediatric CEs in professional growth and personal satisfaction remain unexplored. An exploratory survey research to investigate the job characteristics and factors that motivate CEs to pursue professional growth with personal satisfaction. Using the Job Characteristics Model (JCM) as a framework, we developed a 22-item survey comprised of the JCM derived Job Diagnostic Survey, Global Job Satisfaction scales and demographics. We collected data from January 2020 to March 2020 from self-identified pediatric CEs (with and without educational leadership roles) through a survey recruitment service. Given no data on total number of CEs in the survey pool, response rate was unknown. Job characteristics in the core job dimensions of meaningfulness, autonomy, and performance feedback, as well as, the derived Motivating Potential Score (MPS), were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models. From 201 respondents, including 55 education leaders, >70% were satisfied with patient care, teaching, and mentoring while <40% were satisfied with administrative and scholarly activities. Meaningfulness (in some areas), autonomy (patient care/teaching), and internal feedback (all areas) had significant effects on job satisfaction. In regression analysis, skill variety, feedback, and years of experience were associated with higher job satisfaction, and the MPS was a predictor of total job satisfaction. The JCM can be utilized to understand CE’s motivations and needs within their workplace and guide professional development via job enrichment efforts.