Assessment of job satisfaction, lifestyle behaviors, and occupational burnout symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among radiologic technologists in Saudi Arabia

INTRODUCTION

Radiologic technologists (RTs) are among the healthcare staff negatively impacted by job dissatisfaction, occupational stress, and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess job satisfaction, lifestyle behaviors, occupational burnout symptoms, and associated factors among RTs in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A survey study was conducted from January 2021 to February 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire gathered socio-demographic information, answers to the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, lifestyle behaviors, and frequency of occupational burnout symptoms. Data were analyzed to obtain descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 261 RTs completed the survey. Participants were predominantly male and most were working in public hospitals. The overall mean score for job satisfaction was 3.77 (of 5), indicating moderate job satisfaction, with two items showing low satisfaction- compensation (3.33) and advancement (3.28). The overall mean score for lifestyle behaviors was 2.00 (of 3), indicating moderate lifestyle behaviors, with the lowest scores reported in sleep quality (1.92), healthy diet (1.85), and relaxing and unwinding (1.86). For burnout symptoms, the overall mean score was 2.30, indicating moderate burnout level, with the highest score reported in experiencing physical symptoms (2.72). There were significant relationships between job satisfaction, lifestyle behaviors and burnout symptoms. A positive and moderate relationship, r = 0.53 (p < 0.05), was found between job satisfaction and healthy lifestyle behaviors. The burnout relationships with job satisfaction, r = -0.615 (p < 0.05), and healthy lifestyle behaviors, r = -0.524 (p < 0.05), were negative and moderate relationships CONCLUSION: The interrelationships between job satisfaction, lifestyle behaviors, and occupational burnout symptoms suggest that improving lifestyle behaviors and managing burnout symptoms could contribute to higher job satisfaction.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Policymakers should focus their efforts in the workplace health promotion programs to play essential roles in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors and occupational stress management, as well as, improvements of RTs career advancement and compensation.

Job satisfaction and perceived stress among radiology technicians: a questionnaire survey in relation to sociodemographic and occupational risk factors

PURPOSE

To evaluate job satisfaction and perceived stress among radiology technicians in relation to sociodemographic and occupational risk factors.

METHODS

A total of 207 radiology technicians were included in this questionnaire-based study. The questionnaire elicited items on sociodemographic and occupational characteristics along with Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) and Perceived Stress (PSS) scales to assess job satisfaction and the perceived stress, respectively.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis revealed that more years in practice (B: - 4.80, BCa 95% CI - 7.26 to - 2.47), being uncomfortable with working in a radiation environment (B: - 6.30, BCa 95% CI - 9.62 to - 2.61) and the use of public transport to get to work (B: - 3.62, BCa 95% CI - 6.53 to - 1.03) were significant predictors of poorer job satisfaction, whereas break time (B: 8.54, BCa 95% CI 4.63-12.14) and following scientific literature (B: 8.32, BCa 95% CI 3.37-12.89) significantly predicted the better job satisfaction. Being satisfied with the current job (p < 0.015) and high-income class (p = 0.005) were associated with lower perceived stress levels, while higher perceived stress level (B: - 0.48, BCa 95% CI - 0.66 to - 0.32) was also a significant predictor of poorer job satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our findings revealed job satisfaction and perceived stress of radiology technicians to be at moderate levels and to be negatively correlated with each other. Our findings emphasize the importance of continuing education, in-service refresh training and continuing practice of regularly updating self-knowledge along with balance workload, income and safety at work to improve job satisfaction among radiology technicians.