Factors that influence joy at work and job satisfaction for allied health professionals in public health services: a theory-informed qualitative study

A national shortage of allied health professionals, alongside rising demand for services, has heightened concerns about workforce wellbeing and its influence on retention. While factors such as joy in work and job satisfaction are known to affect workforce wellbeing, retention and attrition, they remain underexplored in allied health. This study examined positive and negative influences on joy in work and job satisfaction among allied health professionals in a public hospital. A theory-informed qualitative study was conducted at a major metropolitan Australian public health service that employs > 1000 allied health professionals across its campuses and services (January–May 2023). Allied health professionals across 10 disciplines and varying levels of seniority were invited to participate in focus groups to explore joy in work and job satisfaction; a purposive sampling approach ensured representation. Focus group questions drew on the Institute of Healthcare Improvement Joy in Work (IHI JiW) Framework and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory. Transcripts underwent inductive and deductive qualitative content analysis, with themes compared against the two frameworks. Five focus groups (n = 25) captured perspectives from junior allied health professionals to managers with 10 years’ experience. Six themes shaped joy in work: (1) patient interactions and outcomes, (2) workload balance, (3) teamwork, (4) recognition, (5) time for clinical and administrative tasks, and (6) the physical environment. These aligned with six of the nine IHI JiW components. Analysis also revealed six factors enhancing job satisfaction and nine contributing to dissatisfaction, partially reflecting Herzberg’s Theory. Findings highlighted the interplay between extrinsic (e.g., workload, environment) and intrinsic (e.g., achievement, recognition) influences. Joy in work and job satisfaction among allied health professionals in the public hospital setting are shaped by a complex interaction of positive and negative factors that contribute to worker wellbeing. Organisational strategies to enhance workforce wellbeing should adopt a multifaceted approach, addressing systemic and relational determinants to foster retention and reduce attrition.