Impact of leadership communication on job satisfaction and well-being of physicians

Abstract

Background Communication and leadership communication are key for an efficient performance of physicians. They hold a team together, help hospitals to develop and retain capable employees, and are directly related to physicians’ job satisfaction. We aim to test the impact of leadership models and various items of leadership communication on job satisfaction and well-being of physicians working in Swiss hospitals.

Method We conducted a nationwide survey of physicians in Swiss hospitals in 2019 to assess the correlation between communication and leadership style with job satisfaction and well-being of physicians. The evaluation of the survey uses multivariate, statistical analysis (descriptive evaluations, regression model, factor analyses).

Results The data reveal that leadership communication, e.g., the tone of communication, information quality and information behaviour and feedback have the most positive impact on job satisfaction and well-being. These items have a stronger influence on well-being when physicians belong to a younger generation, such as Generation Y (born after 1980). Leadership communication has the greatest impact on job satisfaction on residents and a lesser impact on physicians in higher hierarchical levels.

Conclusions To increase job satisfaction and well-being amongst physicians, hospitals superiors and supervisors are advised to invest in education and training on leadership communication and feedback with special focus on the younger generation as well as on female physicians as this will have the greatest impact.