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Job demands and control as predictors of occupational satisfaction in general practice
Author(s) -
McGlone Shauna J,
Chenoweth Ian G
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143537.x
Subject(s) - job satisfaction , job attitude , job design , personnel psychology , autonomy , control (management) , job analysis , applied psychology , psychology , job control , commission , job performance , work (physics) , nursing , medicine , medical education , social psychology , business , computer science , engineering , political science , mechanical engineering , finance , artificial intelligence , law
Objective To investigate the role of job demands and job control as predictors of job satisfaction in general practice. Design and setting A descriptive postal survey of general practitioners in Victoria selected at random from the Health Insurance Commission's database. Participants 353 of 562 GPs (63%) participated in the study. The demographic details of the respondents were similar to those for all GPs in Victoria. Main outcome measures Job demands of general practice; job control in general practice; job satisfaction in general practice; effect of demands and control on job satisfaction; interactive effect of demands and control on job satisfaction. Results The “average” GP in this study perceived their work as characterised by high demands and low control. In addition, only 50% of respondents were satisfied with their work. The major determinants of job satisfaction were gender, job demands, hours worked and job control. Of these, job control was the most powerful predictor of job satisfaction. Although no evidence was found for a modifying effect of control on the relationship between demands and satisfaction, an interaction between hours worked and control was evident. Conclusions The low level of job satisfaction in general practice is, to a degree, a reflection of the beliefs held by the “average” GP that their ability to control their work is low. As GPs who are satisfied with their work provide a higher standard of medical care, policymakers should consider the importance of maintaining professional autonomy for GPs when implementing changes aimed at achieving policy objectives.