Risk factors associated with participation in the Ontario, Canada doctors' strike.

Abstract

To identify factors associated with participation in the 1986 Ontario, Canada doctors' strike, we surveyed 1,028 physicians; 69 percent responded, of whom 42 percent participated in the strike. Risk factors for participation included income greater than $135,000, being a surgeon or gynecologist, having previously "opted out" of the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, being professionally dissatisfied, being politically conservative, favoring political activism by physicians, holding a positive view of the social consequences of extrabilling, and perceiving family, associates, patients and the public to favor the strike.

The Doctor is Out: Physician Participation in the Rationed Access Day Work Stoppage in British Columbia, 1998/99

“…The similar rates of support by GPs and specialists and by men and women found here are not unlike what transpired during the Ontario strike (Kravitz et al 1989). The lower levels of support for RADs in rural locales compared with urban or semi-urban areas likely relates to the smaller supply of physicians (Kazanjian et al 2000), who are faced with fewer choices to offer their patients in the event of their absence.…”

Physician career satisfaction within specialties

“…Current dissatisfaction may lead to future declines in numbers of physicians within specialties. Dissatisfied physicians may be more likely to unionize[ 12 ], to strike[ 13 ], to experience medical problems themselves[ 14 ] and to exit medicine altogether[ 15 ]. Finally, dissatisfaction may increase rates of medical errors, thus jeopardizing patient safety[ 16 ].…”

Physician Career Satisfaction Across Specialties

“…10 Third, dissatisfied physicians may be more inclined to unionize 11 and strike. 12 There are several possible sources of variation in physician satisfaction. Studies havelookedatdemographicfactors.McMur-rayetal 1 foundthatwomenhada60%greater chance than men of reporting "burnout."…”