Physicians’ Life Satisfaction in Bhutan: A Nationwide Survey

Abstract

Objectives: Bhutan was the first country to invest in "gross national happiness". Health care professionals usually report higher levels of happiness. In the last decade many physicians were reportedly dissatisfied with their lives and careers: "unhappy physicians". We aimed to assess levels of happiness amongst Bhutanese physicians. Methods: Bhutanese physicians endorsed the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and a demographic questionnaire. Results: Of 176 physicians in Bhutan, 110 physicians completed the survey: 25.5% women and 74.5% men. Mean age was 36.9 years. Mean SWLS score for all physicians was 23.5 ± 6.9. Conclusions: Only two thirds (66.5%) of the Bhutanese physicians who have participated in this study were satisfied with life, which was significantly lower than rate in the Bhutanese general population or among Israeli Physicians participating in a similar study.