Factors that influence job satisfaction in the Portuguese general practice/family medicine

Authors

  • Luiz Miguel Santiago Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra Clínica Universitária de Medicina Geral e Familiar da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra USF Topázio, ACES Baixo Mondego http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9343-2827
  • Tiago João Coutinho Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9981-4079
  • Nuno Jacinto USF Salus, ACES Alentejo Central
  • Inês Rosendo Silva Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Clínica Universitária de Medicina Geral e Familiar da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra USF Coimbra Centro, ACeS Baixo Mondego

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v39i2.13467

Keywords:

General practice, Job satisfaction, Holistic assessment

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate job satisfaction in the Portuguese general practice/family physicians setting for personal issues, special skills required, work organization, doctor-patient relationship, teaching and learning, personal balance, and dissatisfaction factors.

Methods: 2021 cross-sectional observational study, applying a specifically designed web questionnaire, organized into seven groups, six for satisfaction and one for dissatisfaction, and a satisfaction index (weighed sum from 0-100%), accordingly to the importance assigned to each of the previous seven groups. The invitation was made using specific socio-professional electronic networks.

Results: A representative sample of n=343, 106 (30.9%) male, 105 specialty interns (30.6%) of whom 79 (75.2%) were female, 31-40 age bracket as the most represented with 140 people (40.8%) was studied. In the six satisfaction group factors, the mean result was 3.29 for an [1-4] classification, the lowest in group G6 – Factors for personal balance (2.13). In Factors for Dissatisfaction, the mean was 3.36. The satisfaction index verified an overall mean of 68.9% [32.2% to 92.1%] out of 100%.

Discussion: With no other results to compare, the high mean result in ‘Dissatisfaction’ and the low one for ‘Factors for personal balance’ implies reflection even in the pandemic and consideration about the future general practice/family medicine practice in the Portuguese National Health Service.

Conclusion: General practice/family physician doctors enjoy their profession. Personal balance was not met and strong factors of dissatisfaction excessive bureaucratic workload, daily work volume, excessive mental pressure, inadequate salary, and lack of recognition by the public, health administration, other medical specialties, and society, in general, were recognised.

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Author Biographies

  • Luiz Miguel Santiago, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra Clínica Universitária de Medicina Geral e Familiar da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra USF Topázio, ACES Baixo Mondego

    Luiz Miguel de Mendonça Soares Santiago é Licenciado em Medicina pela Universidade de Coimbra desde 1979, Mestre em Saúde Pública pela Universidade de Coimbra desde 2006 e Doutorado por unanimidade com distinção e louvor, pela Universidade de Coimbra, na Especialidade de Sociologia Médica, ramo de Medicina Preventiva e Comunitária desde 11/11/2009.

    É desde1/7/2017 Professor Associado da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, regendo as Unidades Curriculares de MISP IV, 3º Ano e de Medicina Geral e Familiar, 5º Ano.

    Desde 30 de Janeiro de 2018 tem o título de "Agregado".

    Médico, especialista em Medicina Geral e Familiar, é Consultor com o Grau de Assistente Graduado Sénior da Carreira de Medicina Geral e Familiar desde 2002, sendo orientador no Internato Complementar de Medicina Geral e Familiar desde 2006, tendo exercido na Unidade de Saúde Familiar Topázio em Coimbra, onde ainda continua actividade clínica, agora reduzida.

    Professor Associado Convidado da Universidade da Beira Interior, onde é regente das cadeiras de CSP I, II e III entre 2011 e 2017.

    Desde 2014 até 2017 foi Professor Adjunto Convidado da Coimbra Health Scholl lecionando Patologia Geral.   

    Membro da Academia Europeia de Professores em Medicina Geral e Familiar (EURACT) é orientador de Teses de Mestrado Integrado e de Mestrado Pré-Bolonha bem como de Doutoramento, na Universidade de Coimbra (2) e na Universidade da Beira Interior (6).

    É membro da Comissão de Ética da ARS do Centro.

    Tem vasta bibliografia publicada individualmente e em co-autoria em revistas nacionais e internacionais com “revisores-par” e indexadas (27 artigos).

    Desde março de 2017 é membro investigador do CEISUC, FEUC.

    Em Novembro de 2017 é eleito sócio correspondente da Academia Nacional de Medicina.

    Aguarda a marcação de Provas de Agregação a serem prestadas na Universidade da Beira Interior.

  • Tiago João Coutinho, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra

    MD em Medicina

  • Nuno Jacinto, USF Salus, ACES Alentejo Central

    MD, Consultor / Assistente Graduado. 

    Presidente da Direção da APMGF

  • Inês Rosendo Silva, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Clínica Universitária de Medicina Geral e Familiar da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra USF Coimbra Centro, ACeS Baixo Mondego

    MD, PHd.

    Consultora, Assinte graduada em Mediocina Geral e Familiar.

    Professora Auxiliar na Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra

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Published

2023-05-03

Issue

Vol. 39 No. 2 (2023): Revista Portuguesa de Medicina Geral e Familiar

Section

Original Research

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Copyright (c) 2023 Portuguese Journal of Family Medicine and General Practice

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How to Cite

Factors that influence job satisfaction in the Portuguese general practice/family medicine. (2023). Portuguese Journal of Family Medicine and General Practice, 39(2), 107-19. https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v39i2.13467

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