Doctors' job satisfaction in resource-constrained health systems: A model development

Doctors' job satisfaction is vital for sustaining quality healthcare delivery, especially in resource-constrained systems where hospitals face persistent service pressures. Adopting a phenomenological approach, this study seeks to understand the lived experiences shaping doctors' job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Using purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 doctors from diverse clinical settings. Thematic analysis produced three interrelated dimensions shaping doctors' satisfaction and dissatisfaction: work environment and organizational support, professional growth and performance management, and workload and compensation challenges. While doctors valued collegial supervision and informal learning, they voiced concerns about resource shortages, limited formal evaluation systems, inequitable pay structures, and excessive workloads. These challenges also undermine doctors' morale, retention, and performance. Building on these insights, the study proposes a model that illustrates how organizational, interpersonal, and systemic factors collectively shape doctors' job satisfaction. The findings offer actionable implications for hospital administrators and policymakers seeking to enhance retention, motivation, and service outcomes within resource-limited health systems.