Publication Details
Bacopanos, E.,
&
Edgar, S.
(2016).
Identifying the factors that affect the job satisfaction of early career Notre Dame graduate physiotherapists.
Australian Health Review, Early View (Online First).
Abstract
Objective: Previous studies have highlighted the short career intentions and high attrition rates of physiotherapists from the profession. The aim of this study was to examine the job satisfaction and attrition rates of early career physiotherapists graduating from one Western Australian university.
Methods: A self-administered online survey was conducted of 157 Notre Dame physiotherapy graduates (2006-2012), incorporating a job satisfaction rating scale.
Results: Results showed that lowered job satisfaction was related to working in the cardiorespiratory area of physiotherapy and working in multiple jobs since graduation. The majority of graduates did not predict a long-term career in physiotherapy highlighting a lack of career progression and limited scope of practice as influential factors.
Conclusions: Job satisfaction in early career physiotherapists varies across different clinical areas of practice related to several factors including challenge and flexibility. New roles in the profession including extended scope roles may impact on the future job satisfaction of physiotherapists. Further studies are needed to explore the impact of these roles on workforce trends including attrition rates.
What is known about the topic?
Physiotherapists predict careers of 10 years or less, on entry into the profession. No previous studies have explored the individual factors influencing job satisfaction in early career physiotherapists across different clinical settings.
What does this paper add?
This study highlighted specific factors influencing the job satisfaction of early career physiotherapists including clinical area of practice. Physiotherapists working in the area of cardiorespiratory were less satisfied as well as physiotherapists undertaking multiple positions since graduation.
What are the implications for practitioners?
This study informs employers and workforce planners on the factors influencing job satisfaction in early career physiotherapists. Additionally, knowledge of issues affecting job satisfaction in the early career stage may assist educational institutions in their preparation of graduates for the future health workforce.
Keywords
physiotherapists, new graduates, job satisfaction, attrition rates
