ASSESSMENT OF THE WORK ENVIRONMENT OF FACULTY OF A MEDICAL COLLEGE IN PAKISTAN

Authors

  • Abid Saeed
  • Zahid Ahmad Butt

Abstract

Background: Extensive research is done on nursing work environments but less is known about the job conditions and environments of other health professionals. This study was aimed to fill this information gap by highlighting the factors affecting the work environment and stressors causing turnover of staff. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Bolan Medical College Quetta for the assessment of working environment of the faculty from 22nd April to 22nd July 2012. All permanent teaching staff was included. A structured questionnaire was adopted from health sciences association of Alberta (HSSA), 2006 work Environment Survey. An observational check list for assessment of the physical environment /infrastructure and other general physical stuff was used. Results: The faculty members were not satisfied with the security and safety of their work place but were satisfied with salaries, employer, and management. Work teams and relationship between employees and employers were respectful with good communication. Majority found their work times stressful and opportunities for on job trainings and professional development, adequate tools, equipment and conditions were mostly lacking. Conclusions: The overall working environment is not that good and few areas need serious attention like: professional development, trainings, adequate equipment, and security.Keywords: Cross Sectional Study, Working Environment, Faculty

References

Rondeau KV, Francescutti LH: Emergency department overcrowding: The Impact of Resource Scarcity on Physician Job Satisfaction. J Healthc Manag 2005;50(5):327-40

Andrea Baumann: Positive Practice Environments: Quality Workplaces = Quality Patient Care. Information and Action Tool Kit. ICN. Geneva, Switzerland: International Council of Nurses International Council of Nurse 2007; http://www.icn.ch/indkit2007.pdf (accessed August 2012).

Management for health services delivery. http://www.who.int/management/en/ (accessed August 2012).

Lowe G. High-Quality healthcare workplaces: A vision and action plan 49-56, Quarterly ed ; Summer 2002.

Work Foundation, London 2007. Cracking the Performance Code: How Firms Succeed. Executive Summary. http://www.whpa.org/ppe_fact_health_pro.pdf (accessed July 2012).

Irvine and Evans, Shields and Ward. The Global Shortage of Registered Nurses: An Overview of Issues and Actions. International Council of Nurses 1995 & 2001; : p34.

International Council of Nurses. 7. Consensus Research Group, Inc and APCO Worldwide, Inc, research on 1200 physicians and 1000 nurses in 10 countries (USA, Canada, Europe) from 2004-7. International Council of Nurses, International Hospital Federation, International Pharmaceutical Federation, World Confederation for Physical Therapy, World Dental Federation, World Medical Association. . Report number: 1, 2008.

Wheelan SA, Burchill CN, Tilin F. The Link between Teamwork and Patients’ Outcomes in Intensive Care Units. Am J Crit Care 2003;12:527–40

Kivimäki M, Elovainio M, Vahtera J. Workplace Bullying and sickness absence in hospital staff. Occup Environ Med 2000;57:656–60

Kivimäki M, Sutinen R, Elovainio M, Vahtera J, Räsänen K,Töyry S et al. Sickness absence in hospital physicians: 2 year follow up study on determinants. Occup Environ Med 2001;58:361–6

Rothmann, S; Malan M. Occupational stress of hospital pharmacists in South Africa. Int J Pharmacy Pract. 2007;15:235-242

Aiken Linda. Nursing Matters: Nurse: Patient Ratios. http://www.wpro.who.int/topics/nursing/ichrn_fact_sheet.pdf (accessed July 2012).

Onigbinde AT. The Impact Of Internship Programme And Its Effects On The Physiotherapy Practice In Nigeria. Nigerian J Med Rehab. 2006;11:86–91.

ICHRN -International Center for Human Resources in Nursing. Nursing Matters: Nurses and Overtime. . ICN - International Council of Nurses, Geneva (Switzerland). Report number: 1, 2007.

Saleem R, Mahmood A, & Mahmood A. Effect of Work Motivation on Job Satisfaction in Mobile Telecommunication Service Organizations of Pakistan. International Journal of Business and Management 2010; 5(11): .

Leshabari MT, Muhondwa EP, Mwangu MA, Mbembati NA. Motivation of health care workers in Tanzania: A case study of Muhimbili National Hospital. East Afr J Public Health 2008,5(1):32–7

Goehringa C, Gallacchib M, Künzic B, Bovierd P. Psychosocial and professional characteristics of burnout in Swiss primary care practitioners: a cross-sectional survey. Swiss Med Wkly 2005;135:101–8.

Mc Crarey S. Motivating the workforce with a positive culture: recognition that works. Franchis World 2005,37(3):54–7

Frame P, Hartog M. From Rhetoric to Reality. Into The Swamp Of EthicalPractice: Implementing Work-Life Balance. Bus Ethics Eur Rev 2003;12(4):358–67.

Korac V, Vasic M, Krstic M, Markovic R. Job satisfaction among health care workers in Serbia. Cah social Demogr Med 2010;50(3):319-43

Alexandrov A, Babakus E, Yavas U. The Effects of Perceived Management Concern for Frontline Employees and Customers on Turnover Intentions: Moderating Role of Employment Status. J Serv Res 2007;9:356–71.

Bowling NA. Is the job satisfaction–Job performance. Relationship spurious. A Meta – Analytic examination. J Vocat Behav 2007;71:167–85.

Morris D, Yaacob A,Wood G. Attitudes towards Pay and Promotion in the Malaysian Higher Educational Sector. Employee Relations 2004; 26(2): 137–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01425450410511052 (accessed July 2012).

Judge TA, Thoresen CJ, Bono JE, Patton GK. The Job satisfaction – Job performance relationship. A qualitative and quantitative review. Physchol Bull 2001;127:376–407.

Wada K, Arimalsu M, Higashi T, Yoshikawa, T., Ods, S, Taniguchi H et al. Physician Job satisfaction and Warlay Condiats in Japan. J Occup Health 2009;51:261–6.

Krishnan SK, Singh. M. Outcomes of Insertion to quit of Indian IT professionals. Human Resource Manag 2010;49:419–35.

Danish RQ, Usman A. Impact of Reward and Recognition on Job Satisfaction and Motivation: An Empirical Study from Pakistan. International J Bus Manag 2010;5(2):159–67.

Ayers K. Creating a Responsible Workplace. Human Resources magazine 2005; 5(2):. http://engagementisnotenough.com/pdfs/HR_Magazine_RBW.pdf (accessed August 2012).

. Dawis R & Lofquist L. A Psychological Theory of Work Adjustment. , Quarterly ed. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press; 1984.

Dawis R & Lofquist L. A Psychological Theory of Work Adjustment. , Quarterly ed. Minneapolis, MN:

29Nel PS, van Dyk PS, Haasbroek GD, Schultz HB, Sono TJ, Werner A. Human Resources Management, Quarterly ed. Cape Town: Oxford; 2004

Published

2014-12-01