A Profile of The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Workforce in 2015

Background:

The Section on Infectious Diseases in collaboration with AAP and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society sought to describe the current pediatric infectious diseases (PID) workforce.

Methods:

We launched a web-based survey in 2015 to define demographics, practice patterns and job satisfaction among PID board eligible and certified pediatricians.

Results:

Of 946 respondents (48% response rate), 50% were male with average age of 51 (range 29-88) years. 63% were employed by an academic center/hospital and 85% provided direct patient care. Other duties included administration (66%), teaching (69%), clinical research (47%) and basic science research (14%).

Overall, 70% of respondents would “definitely” or “probably” choose PID again. Rewarding aspects included intellectual stimulation and teaching opportunities. Perceived challenges facing PID included lack of jobs (26%), need for salary justification (21%) and research funding (16%).

Non-reimbursed activities were thought to negatively impact productivity among 55% respondents. 31% and 24% felt very or extremely pressured to increase their non-clinical and clinical workload respectively. 36% respondents perceived time spent per patient had increased. 41% reported growing competition and 20% modified their practice by increasing office hours (50%), physician hiring (31%) and decreased research/administrative activities (17%). 35% respondents perceived a change in volume or complexity of referrals. Changes were attributed to increased incidence or severity of illness in the community (60%) and decreased likelihood for pediatricians to treat complex patients (56%).

20% of respondents did not work in PID due to preference for another opportunity (46%), geographic location (23%), work-life balance (17%), compensation (14%) or retirement (13%). Current scope of work included general pediatrics (28%), government position (20%) and hospitalist (13%). 68% were not planning to return to PID.

Conclusion:

The majority of respondents reported job satisfaction as measured by those who would specialize in PID again. 20-40% of respondents perceived pressure to increase or modify their practice. Although a minority, desire of specific geographic location, better compensation and work-life balance constraints are reasons some do not work in PID after training.