ANALYSIS OF PERCEPTIONS AND JOB SATISFACTION TOWARDS CARING FOR TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS IN EDO STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL

Abstract

This research examined the perceptions and job satisfaction levels of healthcare professionals who provide end-of-life care, focusing specifically on Edo State Specialist Hospital. The study adopted a quantitative survey research design and gathered data from a sample of 120 respondents. Researchers developed a structured questionnaire to gather detailed information on healthcare professionals’ perceptions, their degree of job satisfaction, and the various factors shaping their experiences when caring for terminally ill patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS27 software, which supported both descriptive and inferential statistical procedures. The t-test served as the primary statistical tool to test hypotheses investigating relationships among variables. These hypotheses explored differences in perceptions among healthcare professionals, the possible links between job satisfaction and available support/resources, and the effects of workload and stress on overall job satisfaction. The study’s results offered detailed insights into how healthcare professionals view their roles and the extent of job satisfaction they derive from providing end-of-life care. T-test results indicated significant differences in perceptions among respondents, shaped by elements such as years of experience, training background, and available support systems. A notable positive correlation was found between job satisfaction and the sufficiency of resources and support, underscoring the vital importance of organizational assistance in promoting healthcare professionals’ sense of fulfillment and contentment in their work. Overall, this research contributes meaningful empirical data to the current body of knowledge on healthcare professionals’ perceptions and job satisfaction in end-of-life care environments. The quantitative survey approach, combined with rigorous statistical analysis through SPSS27, allowed for a comprehensive investigation of the research objectives. The conclusions emphasize the importance of customized organizational support, ongoing professional development opportunities, and effective communication strategies to improve the well-being of healthcare professionals and raise the quality of care delivered to terminally ill patients in these demanding settings.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Caring for terminally ill patients represents a vital component of healthcare that requires substantial compassion and commitment from healthcare professionals (Emanuel et al., 2020). At Edo State Specialist Hospital, this responsibility proves especially demanding due to factors including restricted resources, cultural beliefs, and societal views on terminal illness (Inghelbrecht et al., 2020). These combined difficulties create a distinctive setting in which healthcare professionals must manage intricate circumstances while delivering high-quality care to patients approaching the end of life.

Gaining insight into the perceptions of healthcare professionals who care for terminally ill patients is essential for enhancing the overall standard of care in these environments (Hol et al., 2022). Such perceptions often differ considerably among healthcare workers, depending on their individual backgrounds, education, and personal encounters (Freeman et al., 2020). Examining these perceptions enables healthcare institutions to pinpoint improvement areas, introduce focused training initiatives, and offer enhanced support to their personnel.

Job satisfaction significantly influences the performance of healthcare professionals when attending to terminally ill patients (Farsides, 2020). Healthcare workers who feel satisfied and rewarded in their positions tend to deliver more compassionate and empathetic care (King & Jordan-Welch, 2023). Conversely, diminished job satisfaction can result in burnout, reduced efficiency, and ultimately diminished patient care quality (Kopala & Kennedy, 2020). Consequently, evaluating and improving job satisfaction among healthcare professionals remains essential for sustaining a constructive workplace atmosphere and guaranteeing superior care for terminally ill patients.

A major difficulty encountered by healthcare professionals in this field involves ethical dilemmas related to end-of-life choices (Lorenz et al., 2020). Issues such as euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide remain highly debated subjects that can affect the perceptions and job satisfaction of healthcare workers (Özturk & Demirsoy, 2021). Nurses and other medical personnel frequently wrestle with matters of patient autonomy, ethical principles, and legal requirements while delivering end-of-life care (Parpa et al., 2020). Comprehending the interplay between these concerns, job satisfaction, and broader perceptions is key to building a supportive atmosphere for healthcare professionals.

Beyond ethical issues, cultural and societal perspectives on death and dying also shape healthcare professionals’ perceptions (Riisfeldt, 2023). Various cultures maintain different convictions and customs concerning end-of-life care, which can affect how healthcare workers respond (Naseh et al., 2021). Enhancing cultural competence and delivering training on delicate subjects related to death and dying can strengthen healthcare professionals’ capacity to handle these challenges with empathy and respect (Huemer et al., 2021).

Moreover, the presence of adequate resources and support systems substantially influences both job satisfaction and perceptions among healthcare professionals (De Bal et al., 2020). In settings with scarce resources, healthcare workers often face heightened stress and obstacles in delivering the best possible care (Emanuel et al., 2020). Sufficient staffing, availability of required equipment and medications, and supportive organizational policies constitute critical elements in establishing a favorable work environment that supports excellent care for terminally ill patients (Riisfeldt, 2023).

Education and training further play an important part in forming the perceptions and job satisfaction of healthcare professionals engaged in end-of-life care (Lorenz et al., 2020). Ongoing educational prospects, workshops focused on communication abilities, palliative care instruction, and training in ethical decision-making can equip healthcare workers to address difficult situations with greater confidence and empathy (Kopala & Kennedy, 2020). Investment in professional growth benefits individual healthcare workers and leads to better patient results and greater overall satisfaction with care.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Providing care for terminally ill patients constitutes a multifaceted and delicate domain in healthcare, frequently accompanied by difficulties and ethical quandaries. Although existing literature addresses the perceptions and job satisfaction of healthcare professionals across various dimensions of end-of-life care (Freeman et al., 2020; Hol et al., 2022), a notable gap persists in comprehending the particular difficulties experienced by healthcare professionals at Edo State Specialist Hospital in Nigeria.

A key shortfall lies in the scarcity of research investigating how limited resources affect healthcare professionals’ job satisfaction and perceptions when caring for terminally ill patients (De Bal et al., 2020). Edo State Specialist Hospital, similar to many facilities in resource-limited environments, contends with issues such as insufficient essential medications, inadequate staffing, and restricted access to specialized palliative care services. These constraints can markedly influence care quality and the morale of healthcare professionals.