Clinical Practice Satisfaction and Quality of Life among Early-Career Doctors in Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Job satisfaction and quality of life (QOL) are critical issues among early-career doctors (ECDs) in Nigeria; however, there is a paucity of data on these two issues. This study explored job satisfaction and QOL among ECDs in Nigeria. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study that used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on sociodemographic and job satisfaction parameters from 667 ECDs in seven Nigerian tertiary hospitals. The World Health Organisation QOL-BREF tool was used to assess their QoL. Results: Results showed that the ECDs were satisfied with their career choice; however, they were not satisfied in the areas of remuneration, workload, and work environment. Furthermore, QOL was fairly above average, with the lowest scores reported in the environmental domain and only a slight male-to-female difference in the physical domain. Conclusion: Clinical practice dissatisfaction among ECDs could negatively impact healthcare service delivery. Therefore, it is recommended that the quality of the workplace environment and infrastructure in society at large should be improved upon by various stakeholders. This will positively impact the QoL of ECDs and enhance optimal healthcare delivery to the nation's teeming population.