Challenges of Work Life Balance and Coping Strategies Among Married Women Doctors with Children in Yekatit-12 Hospital

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the challenges and the coping strategies of married women doctors with children in Yekatit-12 hospital medical college in Addis Ababa City. The research design was phenomenological research design with qualitative approach. The participants of the study were five married women medical doctors in Yekatit-12 hospital. The purposive sampling method was employed to select the participants. The data gathering tools was an in-depth interview. The findings of this study indicate that the work schedule is a major challenge reported by the study participants. They explained how their work schedules interrupt their family life, which causes problems because boundaries between these two factors are a daily obstacle to their balance. Most participants stated that the supports given in the organization are not as such formal to strengthen women work life balance. Regarding the coping strategies and support systems to manage the challenges of work life balance among married women doctors although  some participants used  planning ahead, family support and husband support were revealed in  this study. The major findings of this study concluded that work overload, inflexible working schedules, poor customization of the work-life policies, non-conducive working environments as the major challenges of married women doctors in this hospital. Ministry of health and the public hospital should seek initiatives and trainings  regarding the challenges of work life balance for better  policies to implement.

Keywords: Challenges; Work Life Balance; Coping Strategies; Married Women Doctors.

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-11-03

Publication date:June 30^th 2019