Job satisfaction level and its main determinants among Iranian emergency medical service personnel: A population-based survey

Few research studies exist regarding the job satisfaction of Iranian emergency medical services personnel. This study aimed to explore job satisfaction levels of these personnel in the two western provinces of Iran. Methods Participants in this study were emergency medical personnel working (n=260) at medical emergency centres in the two western provinces of Iran (Kermanshah and Hamadan) in 2011. Job satisfaction was measured by a self-administered questionnaire consisting of questions about demographic characteristics and job components, as well as verbal or physical violence with other staff and the greater community. There were 10 experts who confirmed the questionnaire content and face validity. A Cronbach's alpha of 0.84 and a Pearson r for test-retest (r=0.88) showed a reasonable reliability. The gathered data was analysed using SPSS 16 software. Results Overall, job satisfaction was found to be at a moderate level (99.3% in Kermanshah and 98.2% in Hamadan). The highest satisfaction score was in the autonomy to provide care to patients. There was verbal and physical violence between personnel and their supervisors, patients and patients’ caregivers, which was perceived as a low to moderate level of satisfaction. Most participants experienced very low verbal and physical violence with their colleagues. Conclusion The majority of the Iranian emergency medical personnel in this study perceived their overall job satisfaction at a moderate level, the autonomy of patient care at the highest level and the fairness of the annual performance appraisal system at the lowest level of satisfaction.