Samuel T Opoku1, Bettye A Apenteng. 1. Department of Health Services Research & Administration, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Thus far, there has been limited inquiry into the factors associated with physician career satisfaction and burnout in Ghana, although the two have been linked to the brain drain problem. The objective of this study was to assess career satisfaction and burnout among physicians practicing in a developing nation, Ghana. METHODS: A 21-item instrument was used to assess career satisfaction among actively practicing Ghanaian physicians, using items adapted from the Physician Worklife Study survey. Burnout was assessed using the Abbreviated Maslach's Burnout Inventory. Two hundred physicians participated in the online survey from December 2012 to February 2013. RESULTS: Generally, physicians in Ghana expressed moderate overall career satisfaction. However, they were least satisfied with the availability of resources, their compensation and work-life balance. Overall, burnout was low in the study population; however physicians exhibited moderate levels of emotional exhaustion. Career satisfaction was negatively associated with the burnout dimensions of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion and low personal accomplishment. CONCLUSIONS: Health policy-makers in Ghana should address issues relating to resource adequacy, compensation and the work-life balance of physicians in order to improve the overall career satisfaction of an already dwindling physician workforce.
BACKGROUND: Thus far, there has been limited inquiry into the factors associated with physician career satisfaction and burnout in Ghana, although the two have been linked to the brain drain problem. The objective of this study was to assess career satisfaction and burnout among physicians practicing in a developing nation, Ghana. METHODS: A 21-item instrument was used to assess career satisfaction among actively practicing Ghanaian physicians, using items adapted from the Physician Worklife Study survey. Burnout was assessed using the Abbreviated Maslach's Burnout Inventory. Two hundred physicians participated in the online survey from December 2012 to February 2013. RESULTS: Generally, physicians in Ghana expressed moderate overall career satisfaction. However, they were least satisfied with the availability of resources, their compensation and work-life balance. Overall, burnout was low in the study population; however physicians exhibited moderate levels of emotional exhaustion. Career satisfaction was negatively associated with the burnout dimensions of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion and low personal accomplishment. CONCLUSIONS: Health policy-makers in Ghana should address issues relating to resource adequacy, compensation and the work-life balance of physicians in order to improve the overall career satisfaction of an already dwindling physician workforce.
Keywords:
Africa; Burnout; Career satisfaction; Ghana; Physicians
Authors: Huixuan Zhou; Xueyan Han; Juan Zhang; Jing Sun; Linlin Hu; Guangyu Hu; Shichao Wu; Pengyu Zhao; Feng Jiang; Yuanli Liu Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-07-19 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Nana K Ayisi-Boateng; Elizabeth M Bankah; Gerhard K Ofori-Amankwah; Dora A Egblewogbe; Emmanuel Ati; Douglas A Opoku; Emmanuel Appiah-Brempong; Kathryn Spangenberg Journal: Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med Date: 2020-08-19