Original Article


Factors affecting job satisfaction among junior doctors working at teaching hospitals in River Nile State, Sudan

Amel Abdalrahim Suliman, Maha Eltom, Wadie M. Elmadhoun, Sufian K. Noor, Ahmed O. Almobarak, Meissa M. Osman, Heitham Awadalla, Mohamed H. Ahmed

Abstract

Background: Human power is the backbone for the provision of quality health care for the population. High level of doctor satisfaction impacts positively on the health services quality and patients satisfaction. Little is known about factors affecting job satisfaction among junior doctors working in hospitals at River Nile State (RNS) in Sudan. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the job satisfaction among doctors working at hospitals in RNS.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted among 94 medical and house officer doctors working at Mak Nimir and Shendi Teaching hospitals in the period from November 2012 to January 2013. A self-administered questionnaire containing 21 questions were used to collect the information about socio-demographic characteristics, factors affecting job satisfaction (working condition, workload, payment and promotion).
Results: The total number of doctors included on this study was 94. Male were 30 (32%). The mean age was 30.3 years. The majority of doctors were single 64 (68%). Age and marital status were found to be statistically significant in relation to job satisfaction P<0.05. Most of the doctors were found with clinical experience of 2 to 3 years (46.8%). The result displayed that (50.9%) of doctors were dissatisfied with their job and the major reasons were work condition (27%), lack of training (23%), inadequate pay (21.7%), workload (19.8%), social relationship (4.7%) and autonomy (3.6%).
Conclusions: Job satisfaction among doctors in this study is low. Responsible bodies should devise mechanisms to improve job satisfaction.

Download Citation