Physician job satisfaction in Saudi Arabia: insights from a tertiary hospital survey

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Turki Aldrees, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University; Sami Al-Eissa, National Guard Hospital; Motasim Badri, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University; Ahmed Aljuhayman, National Guard Hospital; Mohammed Zamakhshary, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2015-06
• Publisher: Medknow Publications
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2015, Annals of Saudi Medicine
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.2015.210
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Annals of Saudi Medicine
• ISSN: 0256-4947
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 210
• End Page: 213
• Keywords: Saudi Arabia; Pysician; job satisfaction; insights; survey
• Research Categories: Biology, Biostatistics; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Job satisfaction refers to the extent to which people like or dislike their job. Job satisfaction varies across professions. Few studies have explored this issue among physicians in Saudi Arabia. The objective of this study is to determine the level and factors associated with job satisfaction among Saudi and non-Saudi physicians. METHODS In this cross-sectional study conducted in a major tertiary hospital in Riyadh, a 5-point Likert scale structured questionnaire was used to collect data on a wide range of socio-demographic, practice environment characteristics and level and consequences of job satisfaction from practicing physicians (consultants or residents) across different medical specialties. Logistic regression models were fitted to determine factors associated with job satisfaction. RESULTS Of 344 participants, 300 (87.2%) were Saudis, 252 (73%) males, 255 (74%) married, 188 (54.7%) consultants and age [median (IQR)] was 32 (27–42.7) years. Overall, 104 (30%) respondents were dissatisfied with their jobs. Intensive care physicians were the most dissatisfied physicians (50%). In a multiple logistic regression model, income satisfaction (odds ratio [OR]=0.448 95% CI 0.278–0.723, P<.001) was the only factor independently associated with dissatisfaction. CONCLUSION Factors adversely associated with physicians job satisfaction identified in this study should be addressed in governmental strategic planning aimed at improving the healthcare system and patient care.