Doctors have many constraints in their professional practice, which influence negatively the quality of their performance. This causes a psychological distress.

To compare job satisfaction (JS), burnout (BT), anxiety, depression and coping strategies among doctors of medical (DMS) and surgical specialities (DSS).

Comparative and cross-sectional study conducted among 33 DMS and 63 DSS with different grades, in the university hospital Farhat Hached Sousse, Tunisia. We used job satisfaction scale (JSS) to determine the degree of JS, hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) to evaluate anxiety and depression, the Maslach burnout inventory to assess the BT and the brief cope to determine coping strategies.

DMS were older than the DSS (P = 0.005). The MSC had more unsettled family life (P = 0.04) and more monthly guard (5.87 vs. 4.96, P = 0.03). DMS had more days of outpatient (P = 0.00), were more satisfied with the work schedule (P = 0.00), conditions of the guards (P = 0.02). Relationships with colleagues were more satisfactory among DMS (P = 0.001). DMS were less confronted to violent events (P = 0.03). The average score of JSS was higher among DMS (P = 0.014). The BT was more reported in the DSS (P = 0.049). An average sub-score HADS-D (depression) was higher in the DSS (P = 0.00). An avoidance-focused coping was more adopted by the DSS (P = 0.02).

DSS were generally less satisfied in their work than DMS with obvious psychological repercussions. This incites to intervene in factors that interfere with job satisfaction to improve the quality of physicians’ performance.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.