engleski

Job satisfaction among doctors in one of the countries in transition: experience from Croatia

Objective. To explore and compare the job satisfaction between family physicians and hospital specialists in Split, Croatia. Design. The survey was carried out in 2005 and 2006 among family physicians and hospital specialists in Split, Croatia. A validated questionnaire was composed of two parts: 92 statements and questions about job satisfaction in the form of a Lickert scale (range 1-5) and eight questions concerning demographic issues. Subjects. The questionnaire was completed and returned by 165 hospital specialists from the University Hospital and by 131 family physicians from the Split County. Response rate for family physicians was 39.81% and 41.46% for hospital specialists. Hospital doctors were split in two groups: internal and surgical. Results. There were no significant differences between family physicians and hospital specialists in total job satisfaction (F=1.02 ; P=0.41). Family physicians were more satisfied with their workplace conditions than internal medicine specialists (19.37± 4.23 vs. 17.37± 4.59 ; F=5.93 ; P=0.003), and less satisfied with the possibilities for postgraduate training than surgeons (5.27± 1.90 vs. 6.59± 2.07 ; F=9.26 ; P <0.001). Conclusion. Global job satisfaction is rather low but does not differ between the three medical groups. Disparities were observed in some segments (opportunity for further education and academic advancement, vacancies, and salary). The reason for the family physician's relative satisfaction may be due to stable conditions, independence in scheduling and personal responsibility.

family medicine; general practitioners; internists; surgeons; job satisfaction; professional satisfaction

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