Job satisfaction of healthcare professionals in palliative care departments and factors affecting job satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic

Šćepan Sinanović; Tatjana Kilibarda; Saša Bubanj; Tanja Prodović; Srećko Potić; Jelena Sekulić; Marko Spasić; Slobodan Subotić; Marina Kostić; Marko Petrović; Tatjana Popović Ilić; Milena Tomović; Nikola Aksović; Olivera Milovanović

doi:10.2298/VSP230831060S

Šćepan Sinanović High Medical College of Professional Studies “Milutin Milanković”, Belgrade, Serbia
Tatjana Kilibarda Academy of Applied Preschool Teaching and Health Studies, Department in Ćuprija, Kruševac, Serbia
Saša Bubanj University of Niš, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Department of Kinesiology, Niš, Serbia
Tanja Prodović High Medical College of Professional Studies “Milutin Milanković”, Belgrade, Serbia
Srećko Potić High Medical College of Professional Studies “Milutin Milanković”, Belgrade, Serbia
Jelena Sekulić High Medical College of Professional Studies “Milutin Milanković”, Belgrade, Serbia
Marko Spasić Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Kragujevac, Serbia
Slobodan Subotić High Medical College of Professional Studies “Milutin Milanković”, Belgrade, Serbia
Marina Kostić High Medical College of Professional Studies “Milutin Milanković”, Belgrade, Serbia
Marko Petrović High Medical College of Professional Studies “Milutin Milanković”, Belgrade, Serbia
Tatjana Popović Ilić University of Priština, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Leposavić, Serbia
Milena Tomović Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Sports Medicine Laboratory, Thessaloniki, Greece
Nikola Aksović University of Priština, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Leposavić, Serbia
Olivera Milovanović University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Kragujevac, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP230831060S

Keywords: covid-19;, job satisfaction;, nurses;, palliative care.

Abstract

Background/Aim. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the healthcare system, particularly healthcare providers such as nurses/medical technicians, who were obliged to adhere to strict procedures and manage their time effectively during shifts. The aim of this study was to identify internal strengths, weaknesses, threats, and challenges in palliative care management during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of nurses/medical technicians. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a 100% sample of nurses/medical technicians working in hospital-based palliative care in two clinics in Belgrade (47 respondents in total). The research instrument was a Questionnaire on Employee Satisfaction. The survey was conducted during September and October 2022. Results. Assessing the job satisfaction of nurses/ medical technicians revealed moderate job satisfaction (3.43), which was mostly influenced by appropriate financial compensation and the implementation of measures to prevent and control the spread of the COVID-19 infection. The dimensions of management that were significantly related to respondents’ satisfaction were motivation and adequacy of hygienic conditions and measures to control COVID-19 (χ² = 62.83, p = 0.004 and χ² = 36.42, p = 0.006, respectively). Conclusion. Nurses/medical technicians who experience stress at work in regular conditions tend to react the same way in different conditions, such as those related to COVID-19 infection. The most difficult challenge that the management faces is the recognition of the importance of the work of nurses/medical technicians by the community. Therefore, it is vital to respect and support the most important professional values of nurses/medical technicians, such as valuable achievements, the importance of professional challenges, personal growth and development, and independence in practice.

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