[Predictors of job satisfaction among health care assistants]

Against a background of falling staff levels, rising care needs and the expectation that health care assistants (HCAs) are to be more actively involved in the provision of health care in the future, job satisfaction plays an important role in motivating HCAs to pursue the profession over the long term.

How satisfied are HCAs with various aspects of their work and what socio-demographic factors have an influence on job satisfaction?

The data analysed was obtained from six different research projects (2011-2017). In all the projects, the job satisfaction of HCAs was surveyed using a standardised seven-step Warr-Cook-Wall questionnaire. The analysis of the 10 items was carried out both descriptively and using ordinal regression analysis to identify predictors.

Total of 2,371 HCAs were satisfied with their job situation (mean 5.2± 1.6), whereby satisfaction was lowest with regard to salary (mean 3.73± 1.9) and employee recognition (mean 4.76± 1.8). HCAs that had completed additional training to become specially qualified Health Care Assistants in the Family Practice (VERAH) or Non-physician Practice Assistants (NPA) (n=452) were more satisfied in their jobs in almost all respects, compared to health care assistants that had no additional qualification (n=1,676) (mean 5.67± 1.4 vs. 5.16± 1.5, p ˂ 0.00). Overall satisfaction was positively influenced by higher age, qualification as a VERAH/NPA, higher workload, and urban location of the practice.

Measures to raise the attractiveness of the profession of HCA might include an increase in possibilities to undergo additional training, appropriate remuneration and adequate employee recognition. In this way, the largest occupational group in outpatient care could be provided with a satisfactory professional future.