Abstract:
PURPOSE
Moonlighting - holding more than one job is a fact of life for many doctors. With the
increasing economic challenges moonlighting and long working hours has become a very
common practice among doctors in Pakistan. This study examines moonlighting in
Karachi, Pakistan where most ofthe health workers are engaged. Moonlighting and long
working hours can affect doctor’s personal and professional lives in both positive and
negative aspects. The overall aim ofthis study is to bring the attention of policy makers,
hospital management and researchers towards the working lime patterns of doctors and as
to how their moonlighting practice is affecting the service delivery, their work-life
balance and job satisfaction so it can be improved.
METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN
A cross-sectional explanatory study, quantitative in nature, conducted at 4 hospitals of
Karachi including both government (Civil and Jinnah) and private (Aga khan and
Ziauddin). A non probability (convenient) sampling and selfstructured questionnaire is
used to collect data, within a 4 month time period, having a targeted sample size of 400
doctors. The collected data from 316 respondents is analyzed by using SPSS software.
FINDINGS
A framework is designed to study the various impacts of moonlighting and long working
hours ofdoctors in Karachi. The result shows moonlighting and long working hours has a
significant positive relation with job satisfaction, work-life balance and quality ol patient
Respondents reported significant financial incentives from moonlighting. However,
financial incentives were also emphasized. The findings also indicate that working
for longer hours and moonlighting practice is widespread among doctors of Karachi. . PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
This research gives an opportunity to hospitals and government to make proper policies
by shedding light on moonlighting practices and long working hours and to understand
the challenging nature of job of doctors in Pakistan. This study also highlights the risks
associated with long working hours to the quality of patient care and recommends proper
strategies to cope with stressful environment. This research would be of great help in
retaining of doctors by preventing brain drain and save our country from critical shortage
of doctors.
