Job satisfaction among public health professionals working in public sector: a cross sectional study from Pakistan
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RESEARCH
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Job satisfaction among public health professionals working in public sector: a cross sectional study from Pakistan Ramesh Kumar*, Jamil Ahmed, Babar Tasneem Shaikh, Rehan Hafeez and Assad Hafeez
Abstract Background: Job satisfaction largely determines the productivity and efficiency of human resource for health. It literally depicts the extent to which professionals like or dislike their jobs. Job satisfaction is said to be linked with the employee’s work environment, job responsibilities and powers and time pressure; the determinants which affect employee’s organizational commitment and consequently the quality of services. The objective of the study was to determine the level of and factors influencing job satisfaction among public health professionals in the public sector. Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in Islamabad, Pakistan. Sample size was universal including 73 public health professionals, with postgraduate qualifications and working in government departments of Islamabad. A validated structured questionnaire was used to collect data from April to October 2011. Results: Overall satisfaction rate was 41% only, while 45% were somewhat satisfied and 14% of professionals highly dissatisfied with their jobs. For those who were not satisfied, working environment, job description and time pressure were the major causes. Other factors influencing the level of satisfaction were low salaries, lack of training opportunities, improper supervision and inadequate financial rewards. Conclusion: Our study documented a relatively low level of overall satisfaction among workers in public sector health care organizations. Considering the factors responsible for this state of affairs, urgent and concrete strategies must be developed to address the concerns of public health professionals as they represent a highly sensitive domain of health system of Pakistan. Improving the overall work environment, review of job descriptions and better remuneration might bring about a positive change. Keywords: Job satisfaction, Public sector, Health professionals, Job descriptions
Background Efficiency and productivity of human resources depends upon many factors, and job satisfaction is one of the most important. Human resource in any institution is the most valuable asset and it works as an engine to provide a sustainable service delivery. Pakistan is already facing a serious shortfall in terms of human resources for health. Research suggests that where the private health sector is relatively well organized and has better working conditions, the workers within the public sector face * Correspondence: [email protected] Department of Health Systems & Policy, Health Services Academy, Government of Pakistan, Chak Shahzad, Park Road, Opposite NIH, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
numerous issues that grossly affect the level of job satisfaction [1]. Job satisfaction is known to be a multifaceted phenomenon that entails an individual’s feelings towards his/her job [2]. In clinical sciences, doctors’ satisfac
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