| dc.description.abstract | Abstract
Background: There is insufficient research on how optometrist experiences
their working conditions and environment. Therefore this study was designed
to predict the level of job stress, job dissatisfaction and optometrist’s intention
to leave the workplace. The aim was to describe and explore success factors
explaining why private practicing optometrists remain in work and profession.
Methods: A qualitative, descriptive and explorative study based on a
theory-driven approach was conducted. Data collection took place from August
to November 2019. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted in
which six optometrists working in private optical setups in Kisumu County were
involved. The sense of coherence and its three dimensions: comprehensibility,
manageability and meaningfulness, were used as a tool to structure the analysis
of the qualitative data. Hence, a theory-driven and a data-driven approach with
qualitative content analysis of manifest and latent content were used.
Results: The results showed that a sense of meaningfulness, manageability
and comprehensibility influenced factors such as: having fun at work, being
acknowledged, having enough time to involve in their private activities, being
autonomous, respect of their rights by employers, being appreciated by
employers, and having a balance between work and leisure time.
Conclusion: One precondition of improving optometrist’s health and
well-being was having clear leadership in Optometric Association of Kenya to
facilitate proper working environment for the optometrists being that they haven’t
received recognition from the government. Another precondition was having a
sense of coherence in relation to both optometrists regardless of the training
level. Experiencing job satisfaction and being acknowledged for one’s good
work were important; acknowledgement by employers that the optometrist are
significant in their business and therefore should be prioritized by good rewards
for the services they deliver to the patients. In this way, the optometrists will feel
acknowledged and could create a sense of meaningfulness, manageability and
comprehensibility in their work. | en_US |
