IMPACT OF MOONLIGHTING AND LONG WORKING HOURS OF DOCTORS ON JOB SATISFACTION, WORK-LIFE BALANCE, AND QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE.

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.