Job satisfaction at specialized eating disorder units in Norway

Patients with an eating disorder are frequently referred to as a particularly challenging group to treat. As a consequence, it is important to understand how working with eating disorders affects workplace well-being. Job satisfaction is a key indicator of workplace welfare. The aims of the current study were to (a) measure overall job satisfaction among healthcare providers working at specialized eating disorder units in Norway, and (b) to investigate possible differences in job satisfaction between professional groups and between staff working fixed versus rotating shifts.

This cross-sectional study is part of a larger study investigating work-related well-being at specialized eating disorder units in Norway. The total sample was composed of 186 participants from 11 specialized eating disorder units.

Overall, high job satisfaction was found across all professional groups. There were significant differences between daytime and shift workers on several dimensions of job satisfaction. Medical doctors and clinical psychologists scored significantly higher than nursing staff on several aspects of job satisfaction.

This study suggests high job satisfaction across all professional groups among healthcare providers working at specialized eating disorder units, contrary to commonly-held beliefs that working with eating disorders is very demanding.