Last update:
25-Nov-2018

OBJECTIVE To investigate the level of job satisfaction (JS) as perceived by the medical and nursing staff, and to explore the effect of management techniques on JS with a view to improve the quality of the health care services provided.

METHOD A study was conducted in two units of the General Hospital of Pella, the Hospital Units of Edessa and Giannitsa, with the participation of 241 employees. The data were collected using the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) questionnaire and processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS), v. 23. The following JS factors were investigated: Professional development opportunities, job characteristics, relationships and interactions with colleagues, taking initiative, and potential. The variation of perceptions between the various different units and specialties was explored. The Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient for the 36 questions on the JSS was 0.84 and the Guttman's lambda model showed very high reliability (75–89%) for each of the options from 1 to 6.

RESULTS Job Satisfaction Factors Analysis revealed that the total JS of the medical and nursing staff ranged within moderate levels. Statistically significant differences were not identified, either in total JS or in individual satisfaction factors according to hospital unit. Dissatisfaction was identified regarding salaries, promotion, privileges, rewards and working conditions, while satisfaction was identified regarding the nature of work, supervision, and relationships, as well as interaction with colleagues. Regarding the communication factor, both medical and nursing staff expressed neutral opinions.

CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that JS is influenced by the recognition of each employee's work. Administration efforts to increase JS must be based on individual characteristics and the needs of the staff. Poor communication is one of the most critical issues. Professional development opportunities and motivation to achieve goals are considered to be particularly important by the hospital staff, in addition to financial incentives. Participation of the employees in the decision-making process on organizational issues (and indirectly about themselves), can increase their efficiency and accountability. In the current period of economic crisis, there is a need to apply effective management techniques to increase JS and thus achieve more efficient operation of health care provision units.

Key words: Job satisfaction, Management techniques, Medical-nursing staff, Motivation.