Validity of a job satisfaction instrument in resident doctors: pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: A high level of job satisfaction in resident physicians has been related to better results in patient care and academic performance. Currently, there are academic satisfaction scales such as the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI); however, it is important to validate a scale capable of measuring job satisfaction in order to provide better care to the population.

Objective: To validate a job satisfaction instrument for resident physicians using a scale developed by experts.

Methods: Observational, pilot, correlation, longitudinal, retrospective study. A Likert-type questionnaire with 65 items and 7 spheres of perception in the organization was made; it was subjected to content validation by means of an exploratory factor analysis and statistical tests to determine its reliability, during 2020 and 2021, in a second level of care hospital center that is part of the Health Services of the State of Puebla. Validity and reliability were based on the criteria of the American Education Research Association, American Psychological Association, National Council on Measurement in Education.

Results: Data analysis showed statistically significant results to assess resident physician satisfaction, Cronbach’s alpha of 0.987, Bartlett’s sphericity index 8683.365 a significance <0.000 and a KMO measure of sampling adequacy of 0.83.

Conclusions: The instrument employed provides evidence of validity based on factor analysis; however, it is suggested to increase the number of participants to favor its reliability.