Richard Paycherin

Work-life balance is the most important factor for 

 choosing their first jobs – possibly as a result of dealing with stresses brought on by COVID-19, according to a new survey.

The responses confirmed and surpassed a similar finding from a 

, according to health staffing consultant 

. The company announced the survey from its CompHealth division, which surveyed 145 physicians who had been out of residency for two to three years.

 was the top factor in choosing the new job, increasing from 2018, when 63% of new physicians said 

 was the most important factor, the survey results said.

“This increase is significant but not surprising when compared to similar surveys that have found physicians’ attitudes toward the importance of wellness and work-life balance are changing in the wake of the pandemic,” the Salt Lake City-based firm said in the survey summary.

Work schedule and location were tied at 83% for the second most important factors when doctors were selecting a first job, followed by job/employer stability at 79%.

Salary remained in fifth place but jumped in importance from 49% in 2018 to 77% in 2022 as a job search factor for new physicians, according to the survey results.

Additional findings from the 2022 survey included:

Most physicians (57%) did not feel highly confident in the search for their first job out of residency and that most (66%) were actively searching for jobs during residency.

In the search for first jobs, 68% of doctors said their residency programs were not very helpful, although 42% offered CV assistance and 28% offered networking events and helped with finding local jobs or fellowships. The areas where physicians desired more assistance were in negotiating contracts and compensation.

Most physicians (70%) were happy with their first jobs out of residency. That increased 5% from the 2018 survey, when 65% reported being satisfied with their position.

This article was originally published on Medical Economics®.

Articles

New physicians want work-life balance in first job, survey says

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a three-month increase in “highly focused inspections” at sites that had previous citations or where complaints were received but the agency could not conduct an in-person response.

OSHA’s goal “is to expand its presence to ensure continued mitigation to control the spread of COVID-19 and future variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and protect the health and safety of 

 at heightened risk for contracting the virus,” according to a 

“We are using available tools while we finalize a health care standard,” Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker said in the news release. “We want to be ahead of any future events in health care.”

The inspection period is scheduled to continue through June 9. It includes focused follow-up and monitoring inspections of four types of facilities:

Nursing care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities

Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals

Assisted living facilities for the elderly

 facilities prompted 1,120 complaints through March 2022, ranking second behind postal services among complaints by selected industry. With 591 complaints, skilled nursing facilities ranked third among selected industry totals, according to OSHA data.

OSHA faced criticism for its response to general concerns about workplace safety and employees being exposed to COVID-19 within businesses.

In 2020, OSHA had 15% more complaints than the year before, but performed 50% fewer inspections, according to a 

 by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General.

The same year, health care workers fighting the pandemic reported a 

 in injury and illness rates, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Labor.

In the most recent announcement, OSHA paid tribute to health care workers who have spent two years battling the coronavirus.

“Many have endangered themselves as they care for those who contract COVID-19 while working in high-risk settings that expose themselves and their families,” the news release said.

This article originally appeared on Medical Economics®. 

Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities with COVID-19 patients will see another round of inspections to examine precautions against the disease for health care employees.

OSHA to reinspect health care facilities with COVID-19 citations, complaints

Patients in underserved communities smoke at a rate double that of the general U.S. population, according to a new study published by the 

Smoking also is linked with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, and with substance abuse disorders, in underserved communities, a 

 and smoking related cancers decline in the United States, people at higher risk for 

 and nicotine addiction could gain significant benefits from tobacco prevention and 

The study analyzed results from the 2014 Health Center Patient Survey of adult patients who received primary care at federally qualified health centers. Those centers serve individuals and families from underserved communities, such as the homeless, agricultural workers and residents of public housing.

The study also examined associations of smoking with co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use disorders, the news release said.

The prevalence of smoking among adults from underserved communities was 28.1%, compared with 14% reported in the general U.S. population.

Among those who currently smoked, 59.1% had depression and 45.4% had anxiety.

Non-Hispanic Black adults who smoked had more than two times the odds of reporting substance use disorders.

Patients at or below 100% of the federal poverty level had more than two times the odds of having mental health conditions. Those who were unemployed had more than three times the odds for substance use disorders.

“Our study underscores the importance of understanding the association and increased risk of mental health conditions and substance use disorders among adults from underserved communities who smoke while also addressing socioeconomic risk factors to achieve better health outcomes,” co-author Sue C. Lin, PhD, of the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in the news release. “The study further highlights the significance of tailored smoking cessation treatments for individuals from underserved communities that will support cancer prevention care.”

Lin SC, Gathua N, Thompson C, Sripipatana A, Makaroff L. Disparities in smoking prevalence and associations with mental health and substance use disorders in underserved communities across the United States. 

. Published online March 7, 2022. doi:10.1002/cncr.34132

The study shows mental health conditions are also associated with smoking. 

Richard Paycherin

Articles

New physicians want work-life balance in first job, survey says

OSHA to reinspect health care facilities with COVID-19 citations, complaints

Smoking rate in underserved communities double that of general population, study shows