They feel better about caring for patients with complex conditions such as obesity and alcohol addiction than other physicians, research shows.
By CAROLYNE KRUPA, amednews staff. Posted Sept. 10, 2012.
The reasons that drive doctors to practice medicine can have an impact on how satisfied they are caring for patients with challenging conditions, says an Archives of Internal Medicine research letter published online Aug. 27.
Researchers analyzed data from a national survey of 1,504 primary care physicians. They found that doctors who see medicine as a calling are more likely than other physicians to be satisfied treating patients who are obese or addicted to nicotine or alcohol.
Of the three conditions, physicians were most satisfied treating nicotine dependence (62%), followed by obesity (57%) and alcoholism (50%).
