Network participation for unpromoted female dentists in relation to psychosocial support.
Studies have shown that female unpromoted general practice (GP) dentists have a taxing work situation with many problems related to their psychosocial work environment. This study aims to describe: 1) the participation of this group in organized network activity (support groups) in a region (Scania) in Sweden, 2) the sense of support compared with another organization and with a nationwide sample of GP dentists, and 3) the covariation of network participation with support. All unpromoted female dentists within the Public Dental Health Service (PDHS) in Scania received a questionnaire and 94% responded. Those participating in network activity < or =4 times a year constituted 12% of respondents. Cooperation between colleagues was lower than in the nationwide sample. Support from the PDHS was experienced as weak. It was not possible to explain why female unpromoted GP dentists participated < or =4 times a year, while those who felt lonely in their work were to a higher degree participants in a network. Almost 9 out of 10 reported being strengthened by the network both as a person and in a professional role. The female dentist was three times more likely to participate in a network if she had a male head of clinic. The main findings are a paucity of inter-colleague contact and a lack of association between support and network participation. The many affirmative comments indicated that network participation might be a good coping strategy for unpromoted female GP dentists.
Hjalmers
Karin
K
Department of Oral Public Health, Faculy of Odontology, Malmö University, SE-205 06 Malmö, Sweden. karin.hjalmers@od.mah.se
Söderfeldt
Björn
B
Axtelius
Björn
B
Krönstrom
Mats
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002322:Career Mobility; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003816:Dentists, Women / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D011636:Public Health Dentistry; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D013548:Sweden; D017132:Workplace