Abstract
Job satisfaction affects productivity and professional performance in many aspects; however, there is limited data regarding pathologists' job satisfaction. Hence, in this study, we aimed to evaluate surgical pathologists' job satisfaction in Turkey. We conducted a 59-item web-based survey questioning respondents' institutional background, history of training, continuing education status/research activities, physical conditions, professional well-being, and job satisfaction level. Likert-type and open/ close ended questions were asked and scored. The participants were also asked to complete the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form. Of the 321 respondents, 75% were female, the median age was 41 years (range 28-71 years), experience as a pathologist ranged between 0.12 and 44 years (mean 11.4±9.16 years). Academic pathologists, senior pathologists with ≥20 years of experience, and pathologists working at large institutions and living in developed cities expressed better physical conditions, higher satisfaction with working conditions and, therefore, higher overall job satisfaction (p < 0.05). 98% agreed that pathologists have a critical impact on patient management; however, the majority ( > 80%) thought that patients barely know what pathologists do and other physicians rarely understand the difficulty and limitations in pathology practice. 82% were happy to have chosen pathology but 45% reported to experience the feeling of being "burnt out". Our findings suggest that younger pathologists are less satisfied with their jobs and a surgical pathologist's job satisfaction increases with the physical and technical quality of the pathology laboratory/institution, and years of experience. Pathologists seem to be aware of their important role in patient management although they think that pathology remains "invisible" to many physicians and patients.
Highlights
Every cell has a history [1] and pathologists try to reveal this history, often amazed by the view they see through the microscope
Senior pathologists with ≥20 years of experience, and pathologists working at large institutions and living in developed cities expressed better physical conditions, higher satisfaction with working conditions and, higher overall job satisfaction (p80%) thought that patients barely know what pathologists do and other physicians rarely understand the difficulty and limitations in pathology practice. 82% were happy to have chosen pathology but 45% reported to experience the feeling of being “burnt out”
Our findings suggest that younger pathologists are less satisfied with their jobs and a surgical pathologist’s job satisfaction increases with the physical and technical quality of the pathology laboratory/institution, and years of experience
Summary
Every cell has a history [1] and pathologists try to reveal this history, often amazed by the view they see through the microscope. Pathology is not just microscopic examination, and most of the time, microscopy is just a small part of a pathologist’s daily routine and it is quite possible that his/her professional enthusiasm starts to fade away and disappear after several years of multitasking. Locke has described job satisfaction as a pleasurable or positive emotional state resulting from one’s job experiences and claimed that it is determined by the discrepancy between what one wants and gets in a job [2]. While job satisfaction directly affects one’s motivation and workplace performance, it would be unrealistic to consider that every (Turk Patoloji Derg 2021, 37:39-50). Received : 12.06.2020 Accepted : 19.09.2020 individual has the same expectations in professional life since not every person is at the same level according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs [3]. We aimed to evaluate the job satisfaction levels of pathologists in Turkey and their perspective on pathology
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