by Chris Sau-hon Ma. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1981. / Bibliography: leaves 51-53.

Introduction: Amongst all public servants in Hong Kong, health care workers are one of the groups suffering from highest working pressure. They have long working hours and may have overnight shift duties, including Sundays or even public holidays. This may lead to poor job satisfaction, psychological stress and the recent high resignation rate in public hospitals. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of the psychological stress, psychological symptoms and job satisfaction of health care workers, the association between stress, psychological symptoms and job satisfaction; and also the factors associated with job satisfaction in a regional hospital in Hong Kong. Method: Health care workers in a large regional hospital of Hong Kong were surveyed by means of a questionnaire assessing basic demographic data, questions of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Warr-Cook and Wall job satisfaction scale (JSS). Four groups of health care workers (doctors, nurses, allied health workers and supporting staffs) were surveyed. Summary of descriptive statistics were calculated for each group to compare the prevalence of job dissatisfaction, perceived stress, and psychological symptoms. Two-stage analysis will be used. The first stage analysis will use ANOVA test to access the association between job satisfaction and different variables. The second stage analysis will use multivariate regression model to further assess the coefficient correlation of significant factors drawn from ANOVA test with job satisfaction. Results: There were 674 eligible questionnaires. About half (47%) of the health care workers reported having perceived stress and a third (33.8%) psychological symptoms. Doctors reported the (76.8%, 95% C.I = 69.43%, 84.17%) highest level of job satisfaction amongst all the health care workers surveyed. Among staff reporting a GHQ score equal to or more than three, supportive staff had significantly higher prevalence (38.7%, 95% C.I.=27.96%, 49.44%) and doctors the lowest prevalence (28.1%, 95% C.I.= 15.11%, 41.09%) of psychological symptom but proportions were compatible with their counterparts in other countries. The mean score for GHQ-12 was 2.41+/- S.D. 3.28. The overall mean perceived stress score was 18.14 with SD +/- 5.0. There was no significant difference when different subgroups were compared. The mean PSS scores of all subgroups were lower than their counterparts in other counties but were quite similar to the mean PSS reported during SARS period. Sixty eight percent of all health care workers surveyed were satisfied with their job (respondents indicating “moderately satisfied”, “very satisfied” and “extremely satisfied” on their overall job satisfaction). Values equal to or above 5 reflect being satisfied. The mean value for Job satisfaction was 4.58 +/-S.D. 1.21. The factors including shift duty, perceived stress, and psychological symptoms were negative correlated with job satisfaction. Factors such as clinical work, doctor and secondary school level were positive correlate with job satisfaction. Conclusion: Prevalence of perceived stress and psychological symptoms among health care workers were high when compared with the general population (14-17.6% for perceived stress and 28.1% for psychological symptom), but not as high as expected. In contrast to popular belief, doctors had the lowest perceived stress level, lowest prevalence of psychological symptom and the highest job satisfaction among different groups of health care workers. This may be related to higher income, social status and, education background that might help to protect them from depression and anxiety. Supportive staffs, who felt neglected by management, were found to have the highest prevalence of psychological symptom and higher stress levels. Nurses got highest prevalence of perceived stress. More attentions and resources should be devoted to these groups to cope with their psychological needs and stress. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

Aim. To identify the factors of job satisfaction and stress of nurses and their association with turnover intention rate in an acute hospital in Hong Kong. Background. Heavy workload, shortage of manpower and high turnover rate of nurse are the major problems in Hong Kong particularly in public hospitals even after measures have been taken to tackle them in recent years. Many studies in western countries showed that workload, turnover rate, stress, satisfaction level and turnover intention of nurse were associated. However there are few studies in Asian countries. This information is needed to provide policymakers evidence to formulate particular policy to deal with these problems. Design. This is a cross sectional study. Survey data were collected from nurses in the medical ward, operation theatre and intensive care unit of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Hong Kong. Methods. A snowball convenience sampling method was used to collect samples from the selected departments. My colleagues in the select departments referred participants to me. Packet of questionnaire was distributed to the participants and the questionnaire was self - administered .The survey questionnaires, including the Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS), Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS) and Anticipated Turnover Scale (ATS), were used to collect data from the sampled subjects. Results. Mean scores of ENSS, JSS and ATS of the respondents were 140.77 out of 228, 114.12 out of 216 and 49.48 out of 84 respectively. These indicated that respondents had high stress and high intention to leave level but mild satisfaction level. It also revealed that there was inverse relationship between stress and satisfaction level (r = -0.23, 95% CI: -0.46 to -0.02) and between satisfaction level and intention to leave level (-0.41, 95% CI: -0.62 to -0.19). Conclusion. There is some evidence of high stress level and intention to leave in nurses working in public hospital while their satisfaction level is in a moderate level. Stress level, satisfaction level and intention to leave level in nurses are associated. The management should adopt an evidence – based approach in improving the work environment for nurses. Even though the generalization of this study is weak, it is useful for the hospital to deal with the human resource problems of nurses. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Social Service Management / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration