Satisfaction of plastic surgeons with job, working environment, and practice in Nigeria: A pilot study

Introduction: Dissatisfaction has serious consequences for both the physicians and patients. Studies had shown that job dissatisfaction among physicians is associated with increase rate of medical errors thus jeopardizing patients' safety. Plastic surgeons are not exempted from this problem. This study is aimed at knowing the level of satisfaction of plastic surgeons with their job, working environment and practice in Nigeria Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of plastic surgeons that attended the 19th annual scientific conference and annual general meeting of Nigerian Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (NAPRAS) in Lokoja Kogi State, Nigeria. Data on the determinant of Job satisfaction as described in “Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) questionnaire” was used. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Result: There were 31 respondents with all the geographical zones except North-West represented. The mean age was 41.06 ± 5.84 years and the Female: Male ratio was 1: 5.2. There were more respondents who were indecisive on the level of satisfaction with the patients they see. Of those who were decisive (41.9%), more were dissatisfied (25.8%). Most respondents are dissatisfied with the level of support provided and work location. On objectively assessing the level of job satisfaction among this same group of plastic surgeons, only one (3.2%) respondent was satisfied. Conclusion: Plastic surgeons in Nigeria are not satisfied with their job. Remuneration seem to be far down the list of the causes of their job dissatisfaction.