The relationship of role-related variables to job satisfaction and commitment to the organization in a restructured...

Many factors in today's hospitals can influence how physical therapists view their work experience. Changing roles, with the accompanying stress, and professionalism may contribute to a therapist's perception of his or her job and the organization in which he or she works. In this study, the relationship between changes in physical therapist role behaviors following hospital restructuring and 2 work-related outcomes--job satisfaction and commitment to the organization--was studied. The influence of stress and occupational commitment on these outcomes also was examined.

Through a survey of 273 hospital-based physical therapists, changes in physical therapist role behaviors, levels of stress, occupational commitment, job satisfaction, and commitment to the organization following restructuring were identified and examined.

Six role behavior dimensions reflecting professional and organizational responsibilities were identified from the data. After controlling for sample demographics, the professional role behaviors, specifically those reflecting interaction and integration with other practitioners, appeared to exert a small, but positive, influence on job satisfaction and commitment to the organization. In addition, occupational commitment had a positive influence, whereas stress had a negative influence on job satisfaction and commitment to the organization.

Multiple aspects of a clinician's role could influence job satisfaction and commitment to the organization following hospital restructuring. The most influential factor was stress, which often accompanies organizational change. However, the positive influence of occupational commitment and the role behaviors that involve increased interaction with other people reflect professional role characteristics described in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice were noted.