Academic health centers provide education in health professions and patient care, and department chairs represent a key leadership group within these organizations. This retrospective study examined the factors of age and gender and their relationship with job satisfaction and work-life balance among department chairs at academic health centers within the northeastern region of the United States. Data analysis from 101 department chairs at academic health centers showed no statistically significant differences in mean scores for overall job satisfaction or for satisfaction with work-life balance by gender. Age demonstrated a positive association with overall job satisfaction and work-life balance, as increasing age was associated with overall job satisfaction. Job dissatisfaction was associated with age, not gender. Findings emphasize the need for interventions to enhance the retention and well-being of department chairs.
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