[Job satisfaction and stress among general physicians in the public health system]

To determine: 1) the level of job satisfaction and job stress among general practitioners of National Health Service, and 2) the most common sources of stress of their job.

Descriptive study based in a meal survey with bivariate and multivariate analysis of data.

Primary Care Centers of the Valencian Health Service.

216 general practitioners were questioned. Of these 127 answered on time (102 male; age 39.55 years; response rate of 58.80%).

The Font Roja-AP Questionnaire (to evaluate job satisfaction and stress) and the Tabarca Inventory (to determine sources of stress) were used. Social relationship at work, intrinsic job satisfaction, job distension and variety at work were in hierarchy order the principal reasons of job satisfaction. On the other hand, interruptions of family life, emergency calls, monotony and practice administration and the doctor-patient communication aspects were in hierarchy order the principal reasons of job stress.

The general practitioners work yield job satisfaction. Moderate job stress has been observed among general practitioners. The most important sources of stress were interruptions of family life and other conditions which disturb intimacy.