Professional Satisfaction Research Articles

Faculty experiences in publishing in Scopus-indexed journals: Challenges and strategies among higher education institutions in the Philippines

Research is a cornerstone of education, with publication output often used as a key metric for research performance. This study investigates the experiences of Philippine Higher Education Institution (HEI) faculty as they work to publish in Scopus-indexed journals. By exploring faculty members' challenges, strategies, and perspectives, this research aims to inform how HEIs can enhance support for faculty in contributing to global scholarship and advancing academic careers. Using Husserl’s descriptive phenomenology, 12 faculty members from HEIs in Eastern Visayas, Philippines, were purposively selected as participants, with theoretical saturation guiding the sample size. Data was gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's method. The study reveals four primary themes regarding the publication journey: motivation for publishing, preparation and publication process, challenges faced, and support systems. Faculty perceptions of publishing centered around five themes: career advancement and promotion, increased visibility and credibility, personal and professional satisfaction, institutional expectations, and incentives. Key challenges included financial barriers, the rigorous peer review and revision process, submission and formatting requirements, and emotional strain. To address these, participants highlighted strategies involving financial and personal investment, mentorship and collegial support, institutional resources, continuous learning, strategic journal selection, and maintaining resilience. Findings indicate that publishing in Scopus-indexed journals requires a blend of motivation, planning, and resilience, as faculty strive to contribute to knowledge and further their careers. Yet, they face substantial barriers, especially high publication fees and stringent formatting standards. Institutional support—especially through funding, mentorship, and workshops—is vital to overcoming these obstacles. For greater faculty success, institutions should cultivate a supportive research culture that recognizes and addresses the logistical and emotional demands of academic publishing.

Professional values, ethical climate and job satisfaction of nurses and their selected sociodemographic and occupational characteristics

AimTo explore the relationship of selected socio-demographic and occupational characteristics of nurses and their level of professional values, hospital ethical climate and job satisfaction.MethodsCross-sectional study was conducted among 388 Polish nurses from the spring of 2021 to winter of 2023, in the eastern part of Poland; and followed by Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Four research tools were used to collect data together with questionnaire for socio-demographic and occupational characteristics.ResultsProfessional values such as activism correlate negatively with religious beliefs (Z = −1.789; p = 0.044), this means that nurses who are more involved in professional change activities are likely to be less associated with religious beliefs. A positive correlation was observed between the Ethical Hospital Climate Survey subscale—peer relations and nurses’ education level (H = 5.638; p = 0.048), indicating that a higher education level was associated with better relationships with colleagues at work. A negative relationship was identified between nurses’ external job satisfaction and their marital status (Z = −1.958; p = 0.040), that is, married nurses feel less satisfaction with the external aspects of their jobs than their single colleagues.DiscussionThese findings underscore that medical staff management should take into account both sociodemographic factors [e.g., age, education, place of residence, marital status, religious beliefs, as well as professional factors (working hours, qualification course, etc.)] that affect nurses’ professional values, job satisfaction and the ethical climate of the hospital. These underscore the need to adapt management strategies to the individual needs of employees, which can contribute to improving working conditions in healthcare facilities.Data collection toolThe data collection tool consists of four sections.DemographicsCollected background and demographic information.Nurses’ professional values scale (NPVS-3)Assessed professional values among nurses.Hospital ethical climate survey (HECS)Assessed hospital ethical climate among nurses.Minnesota satisfaction questionnaire-short form (MSQ-SF)Assessed job satisfaction levels among nurses.

An Investigation of Physical Education Teachers’ Teaching-Learning Conceptions and Professional Satisfaction Levels

Abstract Introduction: The level of professional satisfaction in teachers is an important issue in terms of high work motivation and employee performance. In addition, high professional satisfaction is a factor that contributes to teachers’ more positive approach to the education process. Methods: This study aims to examine the teaching-learning conceptions and professional satisfaction levels of physical education teachers. A total of 310 physical education teachers, 129 female and 181 male, working in primary and high schools participated in the study. A relational scanning model was used in this research. The Teaching and Learning Conceptions Scale and Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale were used as data collection tools. Results: It has been observed that there is a positive relationship between teachers’ understanding of teaching-learning and their level of professional satisfaction. Discussion: The constructivist understanding levels of the teachers participating in the research regarding the teaching-learning process were high, while their traditional understanding levels were below the medium level. Limitations: This research was limited to 310 physical education teachers working at different education levels. Conclusions: It can be said that the teaching-learning understanding of physical education teachers is a determinant of professional satisfaction.

Prescribed pedagogy: An autoethnographic analysis of coursebook constraints, teacher identity, and power dynamics in Iran through Foucault’s lens

This study uses Critical Autoethnographic Narrative (CAN) to explore the influence of standardized coursebooks on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching in Iran. Drawing on over ten years of experience as an English teacher and supervisor, the research highlights how these coursebooks act as tools of control, constraining teacher autonomy and creativity. While existing literature focuses on technical aspects of coursebooks, this study fills a gap by examining their impact on pedagogical flexibility and teacher identity. Through a reflexive analysis guided by Foucault’s theories of power and discipline, key themes such as "pedagogical constraints," "reduced autonomy," and "professional satisfaction" are identified. The findings reveal significant limitations imposed by standardized materials, suggesting a need for more flexible and culturally responsive teaching approaches. This study contributes to understanding the socio-political dimensions of EFL education in Iran and offers insights for enhancing teacher autonomy and curriculum development.

The Relationship Between Professional Identity and Job Satisfaction Among Teachers at Newly Established Undergraduate Institutions: The Mediating Role of Work Engagement

Amid the rapid development of higher education in China and the increasingly fierce competition among colleges, improving teachers’ job satisfaction has become a critical criterion for ensuring the sustainable development of newly established undergraduate institutions and meeting the growing demand for talent cultivation. In this study I explores the impact of professional identity and work engagement on job satisfaction among teachers of different genders and ages. Based on conservation of resources theory, I utilized multiple regression analysis to investigate 637 university teachers from five newly established undergraduate institutions in Hebei Province, China. The results indicate significant differences in professional identity, job satisfaction, and work engagement among teachers of different genders and ages, with female teachers scoring higher than male teachers, and older teachers scoring higher than younger teachers. Professional identity has a significantly positive effect on job satisfaction and work engagement. Additionally, work engagement plays a partial mediating role between professional identity and job satisfaction among teachers at newly established undergraduate institutions.

Traditional herders' perception of job satisfaction and integration into society: Another obstacle to the survival of pastoralism?

Pastoralism is gaining in recognition for its provision of a broad range of ecosystem services. However, in Western countries, especially in Europe, it has been in decline for decades and its future is uncertain. Professional satisfaction, social appreciation and community integration are key factors for the sustainability of any activity. Using information from 167 traditional Spanish herders, we assessed their perceived degree of satisfaction with their profession and the reasons behind their perceptions. Herders were extremely satisfied with their profession, but they perceived medium and low levels of appreciation by the rural and urban sectors of society, respectively. Herders had negative feelings about the sustainability of their profession, as they felt more appreciated by society in the past than they do today, half of them did not want their offspring to make a living as herders. Improving communication between herders and society could help to enhance herders' appreciation of their profession.

Professional Advancement Models for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Associates/Assistants: A historical overview and opportunities for future growth.

Professional advancement models (PAM) are paramount in the growth of nurse practitioners (NP) and physician associates/assistants (PA) who seek professional challenges, clinical recognition, job satisfaction, upward mobility, and incentives for retention. Professional advancement models for NPs and PAs were born out of literature on clinical career ladders that date back to the 1970s for the nursing work force. Over time, PAMs have evolved to offer NPs and PAs structured pathways to guide and reward professional growth, education, advocacy, research, and quality improvement (QI). Although the first institutional account of PAM development for NPs and PAs was published in 1998, there has been a recent spike in case reports of PAMs from individual medical centers. This article (1) provides a historical timeline of published data on the development and implementation of PAMs for NPs and PAs, (2) critiques features of existing PAMs, and (3) offers recommendations regarding PAM innovation for more uniform adoption in medical institutions across the country.

Design Principles for a Higher Education Course Focusing on Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning for solving work assignments is essential for societal and personal development. Higher education is one natural part of lifelong learning and, therefore, needs to be re-focused from solely younger students to include professionals and their development goals. One problem related to giving a course for professionals is their struggle between work assignments and the course. Focusing on the added perspective of professionals for higher education, this study presents five design principles for courses for professionals. Design principles are guidelines based on experience and iterative development in higher education. The empirical data comes from a course in digitalisation and digital transformation, which was given thrice. The course participants were professionals from private and public organisations in Sweden. The empirical data originates from the professionals who made a check-in, mid-term evaluation, and evaluation after the course, resulting in 75 entries. Two researchers analysed the first two course entries inductively, forming the foundation for the first round of design principles. The course design for the third round was then revised according to its weaknesses. Based on the strengths and weaknesses found in empirical material from all three courses, the current design principles are professional pathways referring to new knowledge directly linked to real-world applications, knowledge evolution, meaning gradual integration of knowledge using seminars and examination assignments, preparedness protocol focusing on updated information and structured templates for the seminars. Further, the design principle of collaborative connection includes discussion where professionals exchange experiences, and the last principle, learning fusion, directs toward blended learning by combining face-to-face seminars and films. The revised course design, according to the design principles, implied that the number of professionals graduating and their grades increased. The findings of this study add theoretically to existing knowledge and practical implications by providing design principles that higher education teachers and other stakeholders can use to design or revise professional development courses. The design principles could be used stand-alone or combined to increase professionals' learning and satisfaction.

Impact of COVID-19 on Management, Quality and Satisfaction of Health Organizations

Abstract The hospital health care professionals are the frontline fighting COVID-19 considering they are responsible for all the care provided to patients during all the time they spend at the hospital for diagnosis, treatment or recovering of the COVID-19 disease and other diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of COViD-19 at the hospital management level and, also, to understand how psychosocial environment, and satisfaction of Health Professionals were affected. A case study was performed in a Portuguese Hospital. Data were collected at one hospital under study at two different occasions: the first before the pandemic (November 2019) and the second almost two years after the pandemic started (November 2021). Regarding data collection, 37.0% of participants responded in the occasion 1 (n = 296) and 63.0% responded in the occasion 2 (n = 503). The instrument for the Assessment of Global Management of Health Organizations (AGMHO) Comparing timings pre and during pandemic COVID-19, it was found that the participants in the pre- COVID-19 era showed stronger organizational culture, higher quality of life, better psychosocial environment regarding content/leadership and higher job satisfaction when compared to the participants during pandemic COVID-19. On the other hand, participants in the second occasion were found to have higher psychosocial risks related to mental health when compared to participants in the pre- COVID-19 phase. The results obtained allow us to identify priorities in terms of promoting well-being and satisfaction of professionals and overall wellbeing of the health organization, namely intervention in leadership relationships and psychosocial risks at work related to the physical and psychological demands of work, stress management and a more active and involved role for the professional. Key messages • This knowledge facilitates labelling and prioritizing the promotion of well-being and satisfaction of professionals and overall wellbeing of the health organization. • The product is a comprehensive diagnostic model of the factors influencing the results in health organizations.

Becoming a Nurse: Professional Identity in Prelicensure Nursing Students.

A correlation exists between professional identity (PI), hope, and job satisfaction that warrants interventional measures to reverse nurse turnover. Developing, nurturing, and improving nurses' PI can positively address nurse turnover. The purpose of this study was to examine the intersections between career motivation, PI formation, and belongingness in prelicensure nursing students. As part of a larger mixed-methods study, a quantitative survey was disseminated to students. Findings suggest significant connections between the depth of perceived PI, motivation to enter the field, and future orientation(s) that are mediated through classroom instruction. PI was shaped by student relationships, confidence, and autonomy. Findings underscore the importance of academic intentionality in incorporating PI early in nursing education. Prioritizing quality bedside experiences to develop meaningful relationships while simultaneously increasing confidence and autonomy to assist the nursing student in connecting with their PI is key.

Survey on current clinical practice in geriatric oncology: the individual experience in five European Cancer Centers.

To gather information from clinicians on how geriatric oncology models of care have emerged in different European countries and describe current practice in this clinical area. A semi-structured online interview was performed, exploring aspects related to implementation, perceived quality of care, and professional satisfaction. The centers participating in this interview showed significant differences in terms of resource allocation, team members, components of the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), and CGA-driven interventions. High levels of professional satisfaction were expressed by all participants. This was deemed a consequence of a perception of increased quality in the provision of care and enhanced educational and academic opportunities. Interdisciplinary models of care in geriatric oncology, regardless of implementation details, seem to provide grounds for increased professional satisfaction and perception of better provision of quality of care. These characteristics could support promoting and further developing similar collaborations on a wider scale.

Salary Benchmarking for Voice-Specialized Speech-Language Pathologists

Purpose: This study aimed to understand how salaries of voice and upper airway–specialized speech-language pathologists (SLPs) differ from medical SLPs based on prevailing wage data and to give clinicians resources to better negotiate their salary and benefits. Method: A nationwide survey of voice-specialized SLPs was disseminated via various online platforms including American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Special Interest Group 3, Instagram, voice-specialized Facebook groups, and e-mail. Data were collected via REDCap. The survey investigates SLPs' salary, benefits, experience, clinical responsibilities, and profit generated through Current Procedural Terminology codes. Two separate analyses were completed. First, annual salary, as reported by participants, was compared against annual salary, as estimated by prevailing wage data. Second, a multiple regression driver analysis was completed to identify significant predictors of wage level within our sample. Outliers in the sample were removed using the Difference in Fits procedure. Results: A total of 111 participant surveys were included for analysis. Our data demonstrate that, between participant data and prevailing wage data, salaries for voice and upper airway disorders (VUAD) SLPs are significantly higher in the West, Midwest, and Southern regions. There is no significant difference in the Northeast. Several factors proved statistically significant predictors of increased salaries including years of work ( p ≤ .0001), cost of living ( p = .0030), and work in multidisciplinary setting ( p = .0223). Conclusions: As practitioners navigate negotiations for equitable compensation, leveraging localized salary data and emphasizing the value of specialized expertise may prove instrumental. Moreover, advocating for employer-sponsored professional development opportunities and benefits can enhance the overall well-being and professional satisfaction of VUAD SLPs, ensuring optimal delivery of care within this specialized field.

The Relationship Between Special Education Teachers' Professional Development and Job Satisfaction

Special education teachers bear the responsibility of supporting students with special needs, and the relationship between their professional development and job satisfaction is crucial for enhancing teachers' work motivation and educational quality. This study explores the professional development pathways of special education teachers and their impact on job satisfaction. By analyzing teachers' work environments, work-related stress, and job burnout, the research delves into how professional development directly influences teachers' job satisfaction and proposes specific strategies to improve professional accomplishment. This study provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for enhancing job satisfaction and professional development among special education teachers.

Instruments for Patient Safety Assessment: A Scoping Review.

Patient safety is an important component of healthcare service quality, and there are numerous instruments in the literature that measure patient safety. This scoping reviewaims to map the instruments/scales for assessing patient safety in healthcare services. This scoping review follows the JBI methodology. The protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework. Eligibility criteria were defined based on studies that include instruments or scales for assessing patient safety in healthcare services, in any language, and without temporal restrictions. It adhered to all scoping review checklist items [PRISMA-ScR], with searches in the Embase, Lilacs, MedLine, and Scopus databases, as well as the repository of the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations. Two independent reviewers performed selection and data extraction in July 2023. Of the 4019 potential titles, 63 studies reported on a total of 47 instruments/scales and 71 dimensions for patient safety assessment. The most-described dimensions were teamwork, professional satisfaction, safety climate, communication, and working conditions. The diversity of instruments and dimensions for patient safety assessment characterizes the multidimensionality and scope of patient safety. However, it hinders benchmarking between institutions and healthcare units.

Process Groups for Supporting Resident Wellbeing: Factors Influencing Resident Wellness amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Burnout is a well-recognized problem among resident physicians. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the dynamics of the patient/resident relationship and introduced new stressors for medical trainees, such as new restrictions in the hospital, increased patient death, and uncertainty around safety. There is limited research on the implementation of group therapy for residents to address issues of wellbeing and burnout during the pandemic. Method: In response to perceived burnout amongst internal medicine residents, a university-based internal medicine residency program in the Northeast United States implemented process groups, a form of group therapy, in the curriculum. These sessions were held hourly once every five weeks for each cohort of twelve residents during the academic year. We sought to measure resident burnout and identify themes that impacted wellbeing to facilitate the intervention of process groups during the pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, internal medicine residents were invited to complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and answer two open-ended questions about the factors that most negatively and positively influenced their wellness. Results: Of the 134 participants, 82% had high emotional exhaustion or depersonalization. The most prevalent themes hindering wellness were negative personal interactions at work, most notably rude behavior by patients, unsupportive attendings, residency program expectations, and work intensity. Findings unique to the pandemic include social isolation from family, distress from poor outcomes, and fear of contracting or spreading the virus. The most prevalent themes for supporting wellness were personal life, camaraderie, professional satisfaction, and program structured support. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that programs can tailor structured support to improve wellness, despite the presence of significant stressors.

Biosensor applications in the monitoring of elderly patients

Nurse-based patient monitoring is prone to errors due to manual measurements and documentation, leading to potential inaccuracies in care. The use of biosensors offers a promising solution by enabling real-time and continuous monitoring of patient health. Categorizing patient care reports as critical or non-critical using mobile recording systems based on biosensor data can help prevent errors and improve care. The use of biosensors can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality, especially after emergencies and accidents. These devices improve the quality of care and increase the satisfaction of older people, their families and healthcare professionals. Wearable biosensors make it easier for older people to monitor their health, which can help reduce hospital admissions. Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia and stroke pose challenges to healthcare delivery and interpretation of results. Integrating biosensors into health monitoring and measurement is an innovative approach to managing these chronic conditions more effectively. To improve self-management of chronic diseases in older people, it is essential to educate healthcare professionals and promote research in this area. As a result, the use of biosensors to monitor the daily activities and health parameters of elderly patients is expanding, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary research in biotechnology, chemistry, engineering and nursing.

Professional nurses' perspectives of an ideal performance management process.

A well-managed performance management process can significantly influence professional nurses' job satisfaction and improve patient outcomes. Conversely, ineffective management of the process can lead to demotivation of the nursing staff. This study aimed to understand professional nurses' perspectives on an ideal performance management process. The study was conducted in a designated hospital in South Africa owned by a private healthcare group. The study population consisted of professional nurses involved in a performance management cycle. A descriptive qualitative research design with an appreciative inquiry approach was employed. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Five focus groups of five professional nurses each were used to conduct interviews. The interviews lasted between 60 min and 80 min. The number of interviews conducted provided sufficient data for data saturation. The data were analysed using thematic analysis and the 5-D model of appreciative inquiry. Trusting relationships between management and professional nurses play an essential role in ensuring a tailored performance management process. Training of both professional nurses and managers, a sound reward system for high-performing employees, and a fair and transparent process that addresses challenges and promotes opportunities can promote a positive work environment. Professional nurses require support from their managers and top management. Involving professional nurses in the planning and implementation can ensure proper relationships exist and that constraints are appropriately addressed. Implementing the findings can improve the competencies of both managers and professional nurses to maintain a positive performance management process.

Digitalization's Impact on Chinese Higher Vocational Teachers: Identity, Satisfaction, Resignation

In the changing field of higher vocational teaching in China with the integration of digitalization, educational software, and virtual computer system integration (VCSI), understanding the relationships between professional identity, job satisfaction, and the intention to resign is imperative. Previous research has underscored the impact of professional identity on job satisfaction and its role in mitigating turnover intentions among educators. However, there is a noticeable gap in the literature specific to the unique challenges faced by higher vocational teachers in China, particularly in the context of digitalization, interactive whiteboards (IW), educational software, and VCSI. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating the dynamic relationship between these variables within the distinct educational context of higher vocational teaching in the context of educational software, and IW which is digitalization and virtual online learning environment and collaborating tools related to VCSI. This research seeks to understand the complex links between professional identity, work satisfaction, and resignation among Chinese higher vocational teachers, and also examines how digitalization and VCSI moderate these correlations. This quantitative study investigates the professional experiences and career choices of 271 Chinese Higher Vocational Teachers using online questionnaires and structural equation modeling (SEM) (SEM: analyzing digitalization and VCSI's moderating impacts using interaction terms). It finds significant links between professional identity, job satisfaction, and resignation intention, and examines how digitalization and VCSI moderate these relationships. The study aims to understand technology's impact on educators, offering insights and practical guidance for educational leaders in China, particularly regarding the integration of technology in higher vocational teaching.

Telemedicine and patient-centered care: The perspective of primary-care physicians.

Patient-centered care (PCC) has become a central aim for healthcare systems worldwide due to recognition of its advantages. The growing use of telemedicine technologies (TT) raises concerns of diminishing interpersonal contact, especially in primary care, and questions the appropriate way of implementing PCC. This article aims to explore primary-care physicians' (PCP) experiences of PCC when using TT. During 2023 in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 Israeli PCP: family physicians and pediatricians. The PCP described their experiences of using TT in their communication with patients as including some characteristics of PCC but not others. They related to TT as a means of forming relationships and communicating with patients, highlighting its individualistic focus and describing it as a way of coordinating care. When describing the use of TT in their communication with patients, they barely related to empathy and respect for the patient, to their own involvement in the treatment, to shared decision-making, or to a holistic focus on the patient. The absence of interpersonal qualities and soft skills communication from the physicians' TT experience seems to erode their personal well-being and professional satisfaction and may even lead to burnout. We therefore recommend instructing PCP to better integrate PCC into their TT communication with patients since it contributes to the quality of healthcare and is significant for the well-being of both patients and physicians.

Pharmacists' Professional Satisfaction and Challenges: A Netnographic Analysis of Reddit and Facebook Discussions.

Pharmacists, essential healthcare providers, face significant challenges in professional satisfaction and well-being. This study investigates the factors influencing pharmacists' professional satisfaction, mainly focusing on workload, organizational support, job autonomy, work-life balance, and resilience against burnout. Data were collected from relevant online forums on Facebook and Reddit using a netnographic methodology. The data were anonymized and thematically coded to identify key themes from 23 conversation threads, primarily involving or concerning Romanian pharmacists. The analysis revealed several critical issues: widespread dissatisfaction with salaries, challenges in professional recognition, and the demanding nature of university education. Additional themes included economic and financial insights, global trends and technological impacts, personal experiences and satisfaction, professional growth and education, regulatory and market environment, and workplace dynamics. Findings indicate these factors significantly impact pharmacists' job satisfaction and overall well-being. The study concludes that addressing these issues through targeted interventions, such as policy reforms, educational updates, and enhanced organizational support, can improve the professional lives of pharmacists, thereby enhancing their contributions to healthcare outcomes.