The Influence of Work Experience, Supervision,and Workload on Job Satisfaction in Health Personnel: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Work experience, supervision, workload, job satisfaction, and the well-being of health personnel are integral components of a thriving healthcare system. The quality of healthcare services relies on the accumulated knowledge and skills of its staff, the effectiveness of supervision, the equitable distribution of workloads, and the overall contentment of employees. Recognizing and attending to these factors enables health­care organizations to cultivate environments that not only boost employee produc­tivity but also promote the health and happiness of their essential workforce. This study aimed to estimate the influence of work experience, supervision, and workload on job satis­faction in health personnel.

Subjects and Method: This was a meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies. The study was conducted by formulating research questions using the PICO model. Population= health workers. Intervention= work experience >5 years, high workload, and supervisor. Comparison= work experience <5 years, low workload, and no supervisor. Outcome= job satisfaction. Articles were obtained from the PubMed database, Google Scholar, with the keywords used "job satisfaction" AND "work experience" AND "work load" AND "super­visor" AND aOR. Inclusion criteria were articles with cross-sectional studies, written in English, and published from 2017 to 2024. Analysis was carried out using RevMan 5.4.

Results: Twelve cross-sectional studies from Ethiopia, Nigeria, and United States were selected for this meta-analysis, with total sample consisting of 10,067 health workers. Work experience >5 years (aOR= 1.77; 95% CI= 1.03 to 3.04; p= 0.040), and supervision (aOR= 2.45; 95% CI= 1.45 to 4.14; p= 0.008) increased job satisfaction in health workers. High workload decreased job satisfaction (aOR= 0.30; 95% CI= 0.18 to 0.53; p= 0.001).

Conclusion: Work experience >5 years, and supervision increases job satisfaction in health workers. High workload decreases job satisfction.

Keywords: work experience, workload, supervisor, job satisfaction, health workers