Job Satisfaction among Physiotherapists in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

This study analysed the responses of 183 clinicians in Ishikawa Prefecture to a Japanese version of the Speakman's scale on job satisfaction in the form of a self-administered questionnaire. Specifically, the questionnaire sought the clinicians' responses to 10-item statements related to their jobs concerning paperwork, challenge, physical demand, professional autonomy, fulfillment, and stress. The degree of agreement with the scale was moderate, though the respondents considered themselves to be engaged in rewarding work. The causes of their job dissatisfaction were excessive paperwork and physical/mental stress. Despite these negative feelings, the clinicians were able to find the positive aspects of their job. The degree of importance for the scale as a measure of job satisfaction was also moderate, as opposed to that of their American colleagues who rated it high when Speakman et al. conducted their study in 1996. This finding suggests that clinicians from Ishikawa Prefecture may find the `hygiene' factors (ie. salary and fringe benefits) to be of more importance for their daily job satisfaction. The results should be interpreted in terms of culture and mores, differences in healthcare systems and the time period in which the studies were carried out.