Job satisfaction and dissatisfaction in the Family Health Strategy: potentialities to be explored, fragilities to be reduced

Abstract Background The job satisfaction and dissatisfaction are aspects of health work. Objective The present study aimed to analyze the reasons for satisfaction and dissatisfaction among health professionals working at the Family Health Strategy. Method This is an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study conducted in a small municipality in southern Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Data from sixteen health professionals were collected through semi-structured interviews and direct observation, and were analyzed by content analysis using Atlas.ti software. Results Results were grouped into two macro categories: job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction. Job satisfaction of the professionals included recognition of their work (satisfied users and recognized work), work process (team work, identification, and organization), and institutional conditions (work load and stability), whereas job dissatisfaction was associated with aspects of work management (salary, overwork, work conditions, physical structure, work overload, possibility of becoming ill, deficiency, and information system), and difficulties in relationship (with users and team). Conclusion Health work management is the central aspect to increase job satisfaction and decrease the elements associated with professional dissatisfaction in the Family Health Strategy.