Measuring physicians' job satisfaction using a combination of methods

The present study attempted to explore the utility of measuring physicians' job satisfaction by a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques. A nominal Group process, involving 10 physicians, generated 43 job attributes pertaining to 13 job satisfaction dimensions that were regarded as relevant to physicians' overall satisfaction. In addition, a Focus Group Discussion [FGD] was conducted in the hospital together in-depth information about physicians' job satisfaction. Comparison of findings of FGD and the questionnaire survey revealed consistency in identifying job status and relationship with doctors. Pay emerged as the most dissatisfying aspect through the questionnaire and great dissatisfaction was implied indirectly through the FGD. Inconsistencies were most apparent regarding the 3 dimensions of drugs, equipment and administration

Outcome of care rendered to patients with end-stage renal disease

This study examined the hospitalization experience and quality of life for 111 end-stage renal disease [ESRD] patients. All insured cases receiving long-term regular hemodialysis in the two dialysis units, affiliated to Gamal Abdel-Nasser and Medical Research Institute Hospitals, were included. Objective and subjective indicators were used to measure the quality of life. There were multiple causes of hospitalization over the 6-month follow up period, with stays extending form 1 to 52 days. Patients were hospitalized more frequently during the early period of dialysis. Hospitalization was more frequent among male patients. The lower physical functioning and patient's assessment of his life as boring were considered to be determinants of hospitalization. Employment status was affected by the diseases as there was a marked decline [58.55%], in labor force participation of ESRD patients associated with the onset of treatment due to premature retirement and repeated sick leaves. Assessment of physical activity using Karnofsky index showed that 89.19% of cases not undergo their normal activity all the time. Less educated patients and patients with musculoskeletal disorders were found to be associated with unfavorable quality

study on health services provided by student health insurance in some preparatory school clinics in Alexandria

This study assesses resources and services provided by school clinics during scholastic year 1993-1994. In addition, it examines student utilization of clinics, and their opinion and suggestions to improve the clinic services. Twelve preparatory school clinics were selected randomly. Interviews were conducted with school physicians and students. Four checklists were prepared for the necessary items of clinic resources. Results indicated that 75% of physicians were general practitioners half of them had poor knowledge regarding preventive aspect of their job responsibilities. All or most items of facilities for health education were lacking in the studied clinics. All school clinics provide curative services and 11 out of 12 carried out comprehensive school examination for their students. Screening and nutrition supervision were provided only in two clinics. It appeared that 76.6% of students visited the clinic during the scholastic year 1993-1994. A significant relation was found between students scholastic year and their visit of the clinic. It was found that 42.7% of students complained of absence of some drugs, while 24.7% of students suggested that coordination between time scheduled for visiting the clinic and class schedule is required. However, 66.4% of students expressed that student health insurance is better than the previous school health services

Study of referral process between general practitioners and specialists in health insurance clinics in Alexandria

The present study was designed to investigate the reasons for which patients are referred by G.Ps to GM. speciatists and to assess the extent to which referred cases need specialist care. The study sample included specialists of general medicine working at 4 of the H.I.O. and all G.Ps who referred cases that were considered as inappropriate referrals by the study specialists, as well as 20% of Patients referred to G.M. specialists by G.Ps were systematically randomly selected during a period of 10 consecutive days. The results indicated that the rate of inappropriate referral to G.M. specialists was high, the rate of discrepancy between G.P. and specialist diagnoses was generally high, there was a high discrepancy between G.Ps and specialists regarding the reason for inappropriate referral, and there was poor communication from the lower [G.P.] to the higher [specialists] levels in the referral process. Reasons for referral to specialists were not recorded by G.Ps in 100% of cases. To overcome these problems H.I.O. should place special emphasis on the professional training and continuing education of G.Ps, with special attention to the few common conditions that were responsible for the greater proportion of referral problems. At the same time, H.I.O. should strengthen the technical and administrative control over G.P. referral behavior

Study of workload of general medicine specialists working in the health insurance clinics

This study was conducted at 4 of the H.I.O. polyclinics in Alex. with the objectives of examining the change in visit rate per 1000 beneficiaries for general medicine specialty at H.I.O. clinics during a 4-year period [1985-1988] and to detect any trends that may have a bearing on the H.I.O. standards for supply of specialists. Data were collected from H.I.O. statistic, department, H.I.O. regulations, and also through researcher's observation and specialists' interview. The collected data was used to describe the workload in terms of annual visit rate, actual number of working hours, the specialists average production hours per day, the specialists' average idle time per day, the estimated number of required specialist working hours per day, and the specialists' recommended working hours per day. The results revealed a rising trend in the rate of use of general medicine specialist services and a definite shortage of supply of general medicine specialists was found in all clinics compared to H.I.O. standards. On the other hand, recommended supply based on specialist opinion was less than the H.I.O. standards but more than the current supply. Accordingly H.I.O. should re-estimate the specialist population standard and should seek the commitment of specialists to the revised standards

Study of utilization of operating suite of Gamal Abdel-Nasser hospital

Since the operating suite represents one of the major as well as high cost service areas in the hospital, a study was designed to visualize the pattern of utilization in a general hospital, namely Gamal Abdel-Nasser Hospital, and to estimate the number of operating rooms required to meet the demand in that hospital. The study did show that, Gamal Hospital has a surplus of operating rooms that are not efficiently utilized