Associations between degrees of task delegation and job satisfaction of general practitioners and their staff: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundIn recent years, the healthcare system in the western world has undergone a structural development caused by changes in demography and pattern of disease. In order to maintain the healthcare system cost-effective, new tasks are placed in general practice urging the general practitioners to rethink the working structure without compromising the quality of care. However, there is a substantial variation in the degree to which general practitioners delegate tasks to their staff, and it is not known how these various degrees of task delegation influence the job satisfaction of general practitioners and their staff.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study based on two electronic questionnaires, one for general practitioners and one for their staff. Both questionnaires were divided into two parts, a part exploring the degree of task delegation regarding management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in general practice and a part concerning the general job satisfaction and motivation to work.ResultsWe found a significant association between perceived “maximal degree” of task delegation in management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the staff’s overall job satisfaction. The odds ratio of the staff’s satisfaction with the working environment displayed a tendency that there is also an association with “maximal degree” of task delegation. In the analysis of the general practitioners, the odds ratios of the results indicate that there is a tendency that “maximal degree” of task delegation is associated with overall job satisfaction, satisfaction with the challenges in work, and satisfaction with the working environment.ConclusionsWe conclude that a high degree of task delegation is significantly associated with overall job satisfaction of the staff, and that there is a tendency that a high degree of task delegation is associated with the general practitioners’ and the staff’s satisfaction with the working environment as well as with general practitioners’ overall job satisfaction and satisfaction with challenges in work. To qualify future delegation processes within general practice, further research could explore the reasons for our findings.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-017-1984-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Involving clinical staff members in the management of low back pain in general practice: a qualitative interview study

“…A previous study on the association between degrees of task delegation and satisfaction of GPs found that greater clinical staff member involvement was associated with increased job satisfaction of GPs [22]. In line with this current study, GPs applied a great variation in the degree of task delegation in clinics [22].…”

“…A previous study on the association between degrees of task delegation and satisfaction of GPs found that greater clinical staff member involvement was associated with increased job satisfaction of GPs [22]. In line with this current study, GPs applied a great variation in the degree of task delegation in clinics [22]. The more positive responses to task delegation in the previous study can be explained by their use of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as the condition [22].…”

“…In line with this current study, GPs applied a great variation in the degree of task delegation in clinics [22]. The more positive responses to task delegation in the previous study can be explained by their use of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as the condition [22]. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be considered a more homogeneous group compared to patients with LBP and the management with specific examination for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and life style advices may be easier to structure and delegate.…”

Retirement, job satisfaction and attitudes towards mandatory accreditation: a Danish survey study in general practice

“…Additionally, the question surveying job satisfaction was further tested in a recent survey on GPs’ job satisfaction in relation to task delegation. 13 Data on responders versus non-responders to the questionnaire are shown elsewhere. 11…”

Successful task delegation in general practice – a way to maintain primary health care in the future

“…Seen from a working environmental perspective, recent research has found that a high degree of task delegation is associated with a high degree of job satisfaction among the staff and that there is a tendency of a similar pattern in the case of GPs [5]. Job satisfaction is found to be associated with good quality care and is therefore important to the patients’ care as well.…”