Levels of satisfaction among hospital pharmacists

Hospital pharmacists in a Midwestern, metropolitan area were surveyed to determine levels of job satisfaction. Of the 195 pharmacists who received the 120-item questionnaire, 132 (68%) responded. The questionnaire included facet-free questions which reflect the overall satisfaction of an individual with his job. Results to these questions were compared to those for professional, managerial and nonprofessional workers in two University of Michigan Surveys of Working Conditions. Also included in the survey were facet-specific job satisfaction measures from the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire. The study found an overall pattern of less satisfaction among hospital pharmacists than among workers included in the Michigan surveys. The data indicate that hospital pharmacists might be less committed to their jobs and more likely to change jobs than other employees. Compared to other employees, hospital pharmacists showed a greater commitment to the work ethic and were more dissatisfied with their general life situation. The average general job satisfaction score of the respondents was 2.53, on a five-point scale, indicating something less than "satisfied". Pharmacists were least satisfied with the lack of opportunity for advancement, staffing practices, employer's policies and practices, and compensation practices. Compensation relative to others and amount of compensation were the sources of greatest satisfaction. Staff pharmacists had the lowest level of satisfaction; clinical pharmacists the highest--other personnel categories compared were directors, associate and assistant directors, and supervisors. The profession of pharmacy should decide whether or not to be concerned with the general low level of satisfaction among hospital pharmacists.