Masters Degrees (Health Systems and Public Health)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Health Systems and Public Health) by Author "Bailey, Sidney Lloyd"

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    Job satisfaction of dentists in the public sector in the Western Cape
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-12) Bailey, Sidney Lloyd; Naidoo, S.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. Dept. of Dentistry.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It can safely be assumed that work is a central part of people's daily activities in modem times, and dentists and other health workers are no exception to this rule. The following benefits have been ascribed to having a job, namely that of being a source of money, activity, variety, temporal structure, social contacts, status and identity in society. To what extent does the job as dentist in the civil service provide fulfilment of these basic requirements of having a satisfying job? Considering the number of resignations in recent years of state employed dentists and the well known and often reported "brain drain" of South African professionals, it is important to assess the status of job satisfaction amongst our health professionals, especially those within the state employ. These dentists are responsible for the health care delivery to the impoverished masses who make up a large proportion of the South African population. This study set out to determine the level of job satisfaction among state dentists and how this is perceived by them and reflected in their work performance. It was the aim of the researcher to provide some insight into the working lives of a very important sector of the primary health care providers employed by the Department of Health of the Western Cape Provincial Government. The outcome of the study could be used as a basis for further research in this area. A survey was conducted among all state employed dentists in the Western Cape, excluding dentists attached to the military or academic institutions. The survey instrument consisted of a structured, quantitative questionnaire as well as an open-ended section for comment on specific issues. Furthermore, an indepth semi-structured interview was conducted with one dentist in order to write a case report on the work experience of a state employed dentist.The major fmdings of this study are the following: i) The main determinants of job satisfaction revolve around the work environment, and dentists in state employ enjoy staff support, feel good about what they do for patients, and the standard of work done, but are unhappy about income, lack of respect by patients, senior management and colleagues in private practice. Limited treatment options, poor procurement systems and frequent breakdown of equipment affect their sense of job satisfaction negatively. ii) The level of dissatisfaction is not of such a proportion to persuade them to leave the service, as most dentists would like to remain in their posts. However, most dentists agree that there are no incentives for improving work performance. iii) Dentists responded to their sense of job satisfaction in different ways. While some admitted that their performance is directly linked to how well it is going at work, a large percentage of respondents reported that they do not allow their work performance to be influenced by their perceived job dissatisfaction. iv) Ifwe look at the case study, it is evident that perceived satisfaction or dissatisfaction depends on the individual and how he or she views the world. In this particular case the dentist was very realistic about his ambitions as a person and as a dentist, and set goals for himself within these boundaries. The result is that he remains motivated and satisfied.