[Job satisfaction among physicians employed in public health services]

For several years the high turnover of doctors in municipal public health positions has been a cause of concern in Norway. More information on the causes of the higher turnover, and of factors that could promote greater satisfaction, could provide a basis for discussing what needs to be done. In order to find out the main sources of satisfaction, or dissatisfaction, and their relative importance, a questionnaire was mailed to all doctors in public health positions from 1988 through 1991. They were asked about 12 different aspects of their jobs and general family well-being. 218 (81%) of the doctors who had held such a position for the whole period ("the stable"), and 98 (87%) of those who had quit ("the quitters") responded. Sources of great satisfaction were opportunities for outdoor recreation and the well-being of the family. The doctors were least satisfied with the level of income and the heavy load of work. When asked to state the most important sources of satisfaction, both stable and quitters gave first priority to the professional content of the work and collaboration with colleagues. The stable also gave high priority to general family well-being. For the quitters, an important negative factor was the heavy work load. About 27% of the stable and 42% of the quitters thought the job required too much effort. More of the stable group than of the quitters felt professionally competent, and that they were doing a good job. On the other hand, more of the quitters than of the stable group felt they had little influence on the local health policy, and that the job was uninteresting. In the efforts to reduce the turnover of doctors in public health positions, the health authorities should consider the wider aspects of the job, not just the wage. To increase stability and job satisfaction, greater attention should be given to the professional content of the work, the need for professional collaboration, and the heavy work load.