Creative work environment correlates to job satisfaction and creative self-efficacy in two medical professions

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between creative work environment, creative self-efficacy, and job satisfaction among two medical professions.

Methods: The participants were 61 allied health staff in two medical professions from the same hospital, namely physiotherapist (n=26) and radiographers (n=35). They completed a questionnaire that assesses creative work environment, creative efficacy, job satisfaction, and demographic information. A pilot test was carried out to confirm the internal consistency of the revised Western scales used in the local study.

Results: The Cronbach’s coefficients alpha were high ranging from .75 to .90, indicating high internal consistency and reliability of the items in the scale. The results suggested that physiotherapists perceived their work place as more creative, had higher level of creative self-efficacy, and had higher job satisfaction than radiographers did. Creative work environment was found to be a good predictor of participants’ job satisfaction and creative self-efficacy level. Also, the interactive effect of perceived creative work environment and creative self-efficacy on job satisfaction was found to be non-significant. Duration of professional service had no effect on participants’ creative self-efficacy level. In addition, the creative work environmental subscale “pressure” and “encouragement for creativity” were shown to be the most prominent factors responsible for the differences in the perception of creative work environment between the two medical professions.

Discussion: Promoting a creative work environment in medical field is as important as in other work fields, since such environment enhances staffs’ job satisfaction and creative self-efficacy level. Most importantly, it has been shown that job satisfaction and job performance are correlated (Iaffaldano & Muchinshy, 1985). This two-way buffering effect may result in the improvement of hospital service to patients.