Work-Related Quality of Life and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study involving Occupational Therapists Working in Bangladesh.

Abstract

Background: Work-Related Quality of Life (WRQoL) refers to the workers’ perception of their workplace and employee-employer relationship that affects both their personal and work life. Ensuring better WRQoL of occupational therapists will enhance their motivation and performance, which will improve their quality of patient care. But no research was found related to the WRQoL of occupational therapists in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study will provide an insight about the WRQoL of occupational therapists working in Bangladesh. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the Work-Related QoL of occupational therapists working in Bangladesh and the associated factors to it. Methods: The study followed a cross-sectional quantitative study design. Data was collected through a face-to-face survey among 157 participants including occupational therapy clinicians, academics, and community occupational therapists through WRQoL scale and Biographical Information Scale (BIS). Participants were recruited from Occupational Therapy academic institutes, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and international non-governmental organizations (INGO) as well as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and special schools around Bangladesh. SPSS 26 version was used to conduct the descriptive analysis, Cross tab, Fisher’s exact test and Chi-Square test. Results: The findings showed that the overall WRQoL of occupational therapists working in Bangladesh was at a higher level (36.9%). Regarding the six domains of WRQoL, lower WRQoL was reported in General Well-Being (GWB) (47.8%), Home-Work Interface (HWI) (46.5%), and Stress at Work (SAW) (43.3%). In contrast, Job and Career xiii Satisfaction (JCS) (51.6%), Control at Work (CAW) (52.9%), and Working Conditions (WCS) (41.4%) had higher WRQoL. Some occupational therapists experienced lower WRQoL, including women, experienced therapists, those with permanent full-time jobs, those working 41-50 hours per week, academics, clinicians in adult neurology, and those with caring responsibilities for children and relatives with disabilities. On the other hand, some occupational therapists reported higher WRQoL, including male, less experienced therapists, those with non-permanent part-time jobs, those working less than 40 hours and 51-60 hours per week, occupational therapy clinicians, those primarily working in Paediatrics and Special Needs School and those with caring responsibilities for elderly. Conclusion: This study showed that occupational therapists working in Bangladesh had higher overall WRQoL. The study reflected that the WRQoL and its associated factors will make aware both employers and occupational therapists and help to take necessary measures. For example, introducing work-life policy, reducing working hour, and increasing more weekends could possibly help to increase the WRQoL of the employees. If the employees have better WRQoL, they will be more productive, which will consequently help the organisation to achieve more. Keywords: Work-Related Quality of Life, Occupational Therapy, Quality of Life