Job Satisfaction and Stress level of Primary Health Caregivers at Primary Health Centers in Qatar

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the extent of job satisfaction and stress of Primary Health Care givers in Qatar. Subject and Methods: A population based cross sectional study was conducted in July 2007. 323 questionnaires were distributed to all the physicians/General Practitioners (GPs) working in Primary Health Care Centers in Qatar. Out of 323, only 176 (54%) responded. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and job satisfaction and stress were collected on self-administered English forms developed by Warr-Cook Wall (5). Results: Out of 176 participants 85 (48%) were nale and 91 (52%) were female. Most were non-Qatari of age between 30-45 years and married withchildren. The overall job satisfaction and stress were below average. There were no significant differences in overall job satisfaction for nationality, sex, marital status and number of children whereas female Qatari Health Caregivers were found to be more stressed than their counterparts. There was negative correlation between job satisfaction and stress (r=-0.29, p=0.01). Conclusion: Job satisfaction of primary health caregivers is critical for improvement of health systems. The results of our study showed that Qatari physicians were less satisfied with the rate of pay and the amount of variety in work. Stress was more in Qatari Health Caregivers than Non-Qatari.