Factors associated to quality of life of orthodontists graduated from a public university (1993-2016): A mixed-methods approach

Abstract

Introduction: For dental professionals, including orthodontists, Quality of life (QOL) is a topic of growing concern and could be determined by objective and subjective complex factors. Objective: This study analyzed the factors that influence the QOL of orthodontists graduated between 1993 and 2016 of a public university (Medellín, Colombia). Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted (cross-sectional survey; 88 participants; 3 focus groups, 21 participants). Quantitative analysis: the research included sociodemographic, labor and health characteristics as independent variables and the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire as main outcome for QOL. Frequencies were calculated and the association between QOL and independent variables was estimated by bivariate analysis (Chi square tests) and a linear multivariate regression. Qualitative analysis: Narrative content analysis according to thematic categories. Mixed methods: a conceptual framework for QOL using the triangulation was developed. Results: All the scores surpassed 55 points on the 4 domains of WHOQOL-BREF. A lower value was found in the physical dimension (57.1±10.7) and a greater value in the psychological dimension (70.8±8.3). The variables associated positively to QOL were permanent contract, teaching/research activities, monthly income, resting days per week and sex. Factors associated negatively were low social support, mental health and rent housing. Discourses of participants allowed to identify the concept of QOL and the contextual and social determinants and satisfiers. Conclusion: QOL of orthodontists is influenced by sociodemographic, employment, working and health factors. Therefore, QOL is a multidimensional concept that recognizes the political and socio-economic context and personal and professional experiences.

Quality of Life and Related Factors in Specialists on Pediatric Dentistry and the like Graduated from a Public University: A Mixed Methods Approach

“…One of the elements that are interesting at first glance is the female participation in the study (81%). This participation is much higher when compared to a similar study conducted on orthodontists at the same university [ 16 ]. During the last decades, there have been feminization processes in many professions, and dentistry is no exception [ 26 ].…”

“…A study in Brazil conducted on public sector dentists found that the social domain had the highest scores and the environmental domain had the lowest scores (taking into account the median scores, with scores between 60 and 75) [ 7 ]. One of the most recent studies carried out in Colombia on orthodontists showed a higher score in the psychological dimension and a lower score in the physical dimension (with scores between 57 and 71) [ 16 ]. A study carried out on dentists who teach in Indian hospitals showed that the social relationships dimension obtained the highest scores, and that the dimension related to the environment obtained the lowest.…”

“…It should be noted that 89% of the study participants in Medellin were satisfied with their employment situation. They recognized in the discourses the possibility that their general conditions could be different from other specialties such as orthodontics, although with comparable scores according to the WHOQOL-BREF, as observed in one study carried out in the same city [ 16 ]. Finally, a process of personal and labor adaptation is observed in the specialists who work in the private sector, and in those who work in activities related to teaching, according to their interests, motivations, and expectations.…”

“…A linear multivariate regression analysis was carried out in order to evaluate the simultaneous and reciprocal association of the explanatory variables on each of the dimensions of WHOQOL-BREF and to identify possible predictors of their scores. The Stepwise method was used in the case of the four multivariate linear regressions considering the QOL; and according to biological plausibility and previous studies [ 16 ], sociodemographic ( n = 7), work ( n = 21), and health ( n = 5) variables were included. For the physical domain, four models were made where the adjusted final only included four predictors with statistical significance (independent contract, provision of services contract, self-perceived health, mental health).…”

“…However, it is necessary to expand the scope of research agenda to know the experiential realities of different clinical specialists in dentistry. In this sense, a study published by Muñoz et al in 2020 was conducted for identifying the factors associated with the QOL in a group of orthodontists from a public university using quantitative and qualitative techniques [ 16 ].…”