title: The progress of reforms: job satisfaction in a typical hospital in Estonia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the level of job satisfaction among the staff at an Estonian hospital and to describe factors related to their job satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pärnu County Hospital in Estonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  All staff members of the Pärnu County Hospital (n = 673), except 56 staff members who were away from work during the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents (n = 473) indicated an average job satisfaction level of 3.86 +/- 0.81 on a 5-point scale. The efficiency of hospital management as measured by planning, relationships with supervisors, knowledge and communication regarding hospital goals, plans, quality of services, budgetary situation, and staffing problems was positively correlated with job satisfaction. Stress and unrealistic expectations were negatively correlated with job satisfaction. The feeling of being part of the organization was also correlated with job satisfaction. Recognition from supervisors and discussions with colleagues were found to be weakly correlated with job satisfaction. There were differences between occupational categories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The management of Pärnu County Hospital has been able to create good supervisory relationships with staff by providing sufficient information about the goals of the hospital, the quality of services, the budgetary situation, and staffing problems that arise. Stress levels reported are not excessive and staff are loyal to their hospital.
authors.affiliation: North-Estonia Regional Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia. marina.kaarna@regionaalhaigla.ee
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaarna
authors.forename: Kaja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Põlluste
authors.forename: Rein
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lepnurm
authors.forename: Maie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thetloff
mesh_terms: D004957:Estonia; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009042:Motivation; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care