Working Hours Related to Good Quality of Work Life (QoWL) among Doctors Working in Public Hospitals in Northeastern Thailand
Soonthornvinit W, MD1, Chaiear N, MD, MMedSc, PhD1, Boonjaraspinyo S, PhD1, Tiamkao S, MD2
Affiliation : 1 Division of Occupational Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 2 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : Our aims were (1) to assess the maximum working hours per week relating to good QoWL among doctors in public
hospitals in northeastern Thailand; and, (2) to assess the factors relating to good QoWL.
Materials and Methods : A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 206 good QoWL doctors and 428 not-good QoWL
doctors. The Thai Work-related Quality of Life Scale questionnaire was used (THQoWL). Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic
regressions were applied and odds ratio with 95% CI presented.
Results : Among both the good and not-good QoWL doctors, there were no significant differences vis-a-vis males vs. females, having
no underlying disease(s), province worked in, and hospital level (secondary/tertiary). The majority of good QoWL doctors were
older than 40, married, working in a university hospital, being a specialist, doing shiftwork (up to 100 h/month), less in working
hours per week, and having savings. The majority of not-good QoWL doctors were general practitioners. Maximum working hours
of 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 h/week were associated with good QoWL; however, 50 h/week had the strongest association (AOR
3.11, 95% CI: 1.98, 4.88, p<0.001). Other significant related factors were: being in a leadership position; having savings; working
at a university hospital; and, doing shift work up to 100 h/month.
Conclusion : Working 50 h/week was most strongly associated with good QoWL; thus, to improve the QoWL among doctors
working hours should be limited.
Keywords : Quality of working life (QoWL), Doctors, Working hours, Work-related Quality of Life Scale
