Impact of Practice Arrangements on Physicians' Satisfaction

Abstract

This research examines the effect of practice arrangements on five dimensions of physicians' satisfaction (i.e., personal factors, resources, peer review, profession, and state regulations) and the moderating effect of job autonomy and decision making on this relationship. This research finds that physicians who work for HMOs and hospitals are more satisfied with job resources, regulatory climate, and their professions, compared with physicians who are self-employed (solo and group practices). Physicians who work for HMOs and hospitals have less autonomy and decision-making power, compared with self-employed physicians. Also, job autonomy partially moderates the relationship between organizational arrangement and physicians' satisfaction with job resources and satisfaction with the profession. Decision making does not moderate the organizational arrangement and physicians' satisfaction relationship.