Differences in work motivation and job satisfaction between physicians and nurses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine if there was a difference in job satisfaction and work motivation between physicians and nurses in the region of Central Serbia. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Central Serbia in 2010/2011. Physi-cians and nurses from three Health Centers and one General Hospital were included. All health facili-ties were randomly selected. Data collection was performed by anonymous questionnaires. In sta-tistical analysis X2, Student t-test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient test were used. The study in-cluded 226 physicians and 606 nurses. In relation to nurses, physicians were significantly more motiva-ted by the following factors: achieving goals of the health facility (77.4% vs. 59.4%), recognition for good work performance (70.8% vs. 54.4%), good interpersonal relationships (81.4% vs. 65.8%), op-portunities for promotion and advancement (60.2% vs. 44.4%), monthly income (63.7% vs. 35.3%), working conditions (65.9% vs. 49.2%), coopera-tive working atmosphere (74.8% vs. 55.3%), train-ing opportunities (74.8% vs. 48.5%), job security (84.6% vs. 66.9%), support by superiors (76.1% vs. 62.4%), autonomy in the workplace (84.5% vs. 63.2%), current equipment (76.1% vs. 57.5%), and reward for excellent work performance (69.0% vs. 49.0%). Compared to nurses, physicians were sig-nificantly more satisfied with opportunities for con-tinual improvement provided by their health facil-ity (50.4% vs. 40.0%) and job security (56.7% vs. 46.3%). Physicians are significantly more motivat-ed and satisfied with their job than nurses. In order to improve the quality of work in health facilities studies of work motivation and job satisfaction are necessary each year.