A comparative study on physiotherapists' job satisfaction in the private and public health facilities of Gauteng

Abstract

Orientation: Job satisfaction, which is usually lower among healthcare workers than in other types of organisations, has a major influence on job-related behaviour, such as turnover, absenteeism, and self-reported job performance. Research purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the level of job satisfaction between publicly employed and privately employed physiotherapists. Research design: A non-probability research design was used to choose a convenient sample. One group was from the public sector and the other from the private sector all working in Gauteng Province (N=200). A structured self-administered Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) (Weiss, et al., 1967), validated by Ian Rothmann for South African circumstances, was identified for this purpose. Main findings: There was a significant difference in support work value factor (supervision, company policies and practices) and work conditions work value (activity, independence, variety, compensation, security and working conditions) between publicly employed and privately employed physiotherapists. The privately employed had a higher mean value 3.59 and publicly employed a smaller mean value of 3.33 on support work value. The mean values of work conditions and value for publicly employed physiotherapists and privately employed physiotherapists were 3.44 and 3.84 respectively. Practical implications: Managers should pay particular attention on the job satisfaction levels of employees in the public sector. Value add: The study adds to the literature and also confirms that there is a difference between publicly employed and privately employed physiotherapists‘ levels of job satisfaction.