Professional quality of life in the clinical governance model of Asturias (Spain)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate professional quality of life in our clinical governance model by comparing differences according to the time since the model's implementation (1-3 years) and the setting (primary or hospital care). METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. The 35-item, anonymous, self-administered Professional Quality of Life Questionnaire, with three additional questions, was applied. A minimum sample size for each clinical governance unit/area (CGU/CGA) was calculated. Descriptive, univariate and bivariate analyses were performed using the 35 items separately. The subscales of « management support », « workload » and « intrinsic motivation » were used as dependant variables, and the setting and time since implementation of the CGU/CGA as independent variables. RESULTS: Of the study population of 2572 professionals, 1395 (54%) responded (67% in primary care and 51% in hospital care). A total of 87% had been working for 5 years or more in their positions. Thirty-three percent had worked for less than a year in clinical governance. The item with the highest score was job training (8.39 ± 1.42) and that with the lowest was conflicts with peers (3.23 ± 2.2). Primary healthcare professionals showed better results in management support and quality of life at work and hospital professionals in workload. The clinical governance model obtained the best scores at 3 years and the worst at 1 year. These differences were especially favorable for clinical governance in hospitals: professionals working longer perceived a lower workload and more intrinsic motivation and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: A longer time working in the clinical governance model was associated with better perception of professional quality of life, especially in hospital care.