Assessment and correlation between job satisfaction and burnout among radiographers

Introduction

Previous research on job satisfaction (JS) and burnout has focused on physicians and nurses. However, limited work has evaluated radiographers’ JS and burnout, factors affecting them and the correlation between them. The aim of this study is to assess the level and specific factors affecting burnout and JS among radiographers and to examine the correlation between them.

Methods

A questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic information and two validated instruments (Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS (MP)) and JS Survey (JSS)) was distributed to radiographers. The MBI included 22 questions and JSS consisted of 36 questions. Mean scores were used to compare responses between participants according to demographic characteristics. Correlation between JS and burnout was examined using Pearson correlation test, with P < 0.05 determining statistical significance.

Results

308 radiographers returned a completed questionnaire, 48.4% of participants were male, 48.7% had 1–6 years of experience and 61.4% examined >25 patients per day. Total emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment scores were 28.7, 11.3 and 35.8 respectively. Most participants felt dissatisfied with pay (n = 221, 71.8%), opportunities for promotion (n = 202, 65.6%), fringe benefits (n = 239, 77.6%), contingent rewards (n = 231, 75.0%), operating procedures (n = 190, 61.7%) and communication (n = 162, 52.6%). Burnout was associated with work experience and caseload and JS was associated with section of work. Most of the JS domains were significantly inversely related to emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation domains. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization drew a significant positive correlation. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization drew a significant positive correlation.

Conclusion

Participating radiographers are mostly dissatisfied about their jobs and they suffer a high level of emotional exhaustion.

Implications for practice

To avoid the consequences of burnout and decreased JS on individuals and organizations, efforts should be done in alleviating the main factors affecting them.