Influence of working conditions on job satisfaction in anaesthetists.
BACKGROUND
We studied job satisfaction, physical health, emotional well-being and working conditions in 125 Austrian and Swiss anaesthetists.


METHODS
Responses to self-reporting questionnaires were evaluated. Dependent variables included job satisfaction, emotional well-being and physical health. Independent variables included age, sex, marital status, position and working conditions as assessed by the Instrument for Stress-related Job Analysis.


RESULTS
Control over work shows a strong effect on job satisfaction in anaesthetists, for example influence on handling tasks (P=0.001), time control (P=0.002) and participation (P=0.001), whereas task demands and task-related problems did not have any effect. Anaesthetists in leading positions and specialists reported lower job satisfaction (P=0.012) than did anaesthetists in non-leading positions. Job satisfaction was associated with better physical health (P=0.001) and better emotional well-being (P=0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that a high level of job satisfaction in anaesthetists correlates with interesting work demands and the opportunity to contribute skills and ideas. To improve job satisfaction, more attention should be paid to improving working conditions, including control over decision-making, and allowing anaesthetists to have more influence on their own work pace and work schedule.
Kinzl
J F
JF
Department of Psychiatry, Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. johann.kinzl@uklibk.ac.at
Knotzer
H
H
Traweger
C
C
Lederer
W
W
Heidegger
T
T
Benzer
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001317:Austria; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland; D016526:Workload