Abstract
Background: Family medicine is a well-developed specialty in the western world. However, in most Arab countries, family medicine practice is still limited; with several problems that hinder its development.
Objectives: To determine the difficulties facing family physicians in Abha City, Saudi Arabia and to assess their satisfaction regarding their workplaces.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among a sample of Saudi family physicians at primary health care (PHC) centers belonging to the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Abha City, Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was developed by the researchers and was used for data collection. It included demographic data, inquiry about various difficulties faced by physicians at workplace and inquiry about their satisfaction regarding their workplaces.
Results: The study included 87 Saudi family medicine physicians. Males represent 52.9% of them. The commonest reported difficulties related to transportation and staff were shortage of nurses (59.8%), unavailability of radiologists (43.7%), unavailability of radiology technicians (35.6%) and unavailability of drivers (33.3%). The most frequently mentioned difficulties related to infrastructure and work environment were the unavailability of cafeteria (58.5%). poor biomedical services (40.2%), unavailability of internet services (40.2%) and unavailability of a toilet for staff (40.2%), while regarding difficulties related to diagnostic, immunization, and pharmacy services, there were problems receiving radiology reports from referral facilities (58.6%), problems receiving results from reference laboratory (52.9%). insufficient laboratory test kits (37.9%) and unavailability of ultrasound equipment (33.3%). More than one third of the family physicians were satisfied with clinics (41.4%), working hours (41.4%), job (35.6%), and working environment (34.5%). On the other hand, a considerable percentage of them were unsatisfied with laboratory (65.6%), medical records (54.1%), and radiology (49.4%).
Conclusion: Family physicians working at PHC centers in Abha city, face several difficulties, which significantly affect their satisfaction with workplace and could impair quality of care delivered to patients.