Aim of the study. To assess job satisfaction of Lithuanian physical therapists.

Objectives. 1) to assess overall job satisfaction of physical therapists; 2) to determine factors, affecting job satisfaction of physical therapists.

Methods. The survey was carried out during the congress of Lithuanian Physical Therapy Association (28 May 2004). 224 questionnaires were distributed and 202 returned (response rate - 90.1%). 179 questionnaires were analysed. Job satisfaction was evaluated in scores from 1 (completely dissatisfied) to 5 (completely satisfied). Data analysis was performed with the help of statistical package SPSS 10. Statistical procedures: chi-square‘s test (χ²), Spearman rank correlation, Student (t) test, dispersion analysis (ANOVA).

Results. 77.6% of physical therapists were satisfied with their work, 17.9%- neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, 4.5% - dissatisfied. The score of overall job satisfaction was 3.8 out of 5.There were no significant differences in job satisfaction by gender, age groups, working experience, and workplace. Respondents with higher university education were more satisfied in their work than respondents with higher non-university education (scores 3.9 and 3.68; p<0.05). We found negative correlation between job satisfaction and the intent to change profession or workplace (correlation coefficients - 0.39 and -0.46; p<0.05). Statistically significant relationships between job satisfaction and pay (correlation coefficient 0.25), opportunity to learn and improve professional skills (0.24), opportunity to plan their work (0.23), career (0.22), recognition at work (0.22), competence of manager (0.20), independence in decision making (0.20) were found. Physical therapists gave the highest satisfaction scores to communication with colleagues (3.94 from 5), job being interesting (3.73), and competence of colleagues (3.71). Minimal scores were given to salary (1.8) and its increase (1.8), paperwork amount (2.56), and physicians’ opinion about physical therapist profession (2.64). Respondents with different age and job experience reported different level of satisfaction with physical load and amount of work: physical therapists, who were older and had longer work experience were less satisfied with these aspects.

Conclusions. 1. The vast majority of physical therapists (77.6%) were satisfied with their work. 2. Statistically significant relationships between job satisfaction and salary, opportunity to learn and improve professional skills, opportunity to plan their work, career, recognition at work, and independence in decision making were found. Respondents reported that the most important factors for their job satisfaction were job interest, independence in decision making and workplace equipment.

Raktažodžiai: physical therapists, pasitenkinimas darbu, job satisfaction, kineziterapeutai