Exploring the relationships between musculoskeletal problems and job satisfaction, quality of life, and sleep in physiotherapists

Abstract

Aim: The aim of our study was to explore the relationship between musculoskeletal problems and job satisfaction, quality of life and sleep in physiotherapists.

Method: Eighty-six actively working physiotherapists (63 female, 23 male) participated in our study. Sociodemographic Information Form, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMSQ), Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale (MJSS), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Short Form-36 Quality of Life Scale (SF-36) were delivered to the participants via Google Forms. Data were evaluated using SPSS-20.0 statistical program.

Results: In our study, there was no significant correlation between the NMSQ global score and MJSS general satisfaction and intrinsic-extrinsic satisfaction parameters for nine regions. There was a negative correlation between the questionnaire and the sub-parameters of the SF-36 except for the wrist parameter, and a positive correlation between the total score of the PSQI and the elbow (p=0.004; r=0.306), lower back (p=0.011; r=0.272), knee (p=0.049; r=0.213) and ankle (p=0.029; r=0.235) parameters of the questionnaire. The overall satisfaction score of the physiotherapists who participated in our study was 45.01.

Conclusion: Based on the classification of the scores obtained from the job satisfaction scale as moderate (60 points and below), moderate to completely dissatisfied (61-79 points) and satisfied (80 points and above) in previous studies, we can say that the satisfaction levels of the physiotherapists participating in our study are low. Although musculoskeletal system problems affect sleep and quality of life in physiotherapists, the results of the effect on job satisfaction should be supported by more studies.