KUMJ | VOL. 24 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 94 | JANUARY - MARCH, 2026

Academic and Job Satisfaction among Physiotherapy Graduates of Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS): A cross-sectional study
Nepal GM, Tamang B, Poudel M

Abstract:
Background Background: With rising non-communicable diseases and Years Lived with Disability, there’s a growing need for skilled and satisfied physiotherapists. Quality of education from institutions determines the academic satisfaction of graduate physiotherapists which in turn influences job satisfaction. Currently, many institutes have started undergraduate physiotherapy programs, with Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences being the pioneer institute. Hence, it is an appropriate time to provide information related to academic and job satisfaction among physiotherapy graduates to guide these novice institutions. Objective To determine the status of academic and job satisfaction in physiotherapy graduates of KUSMS and identify influencing factors. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among graduates using Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM)-12 and Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS). The questionnaire was made available online using goggle form and distributed via social media and email, which was scored based on Likert scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Result In our study, 107 Physiotherapy graduates were included where 86% of them were underage group of 20-30 years. Most of the graduates were female and unmarried. Most graduates were working as physiotherapists (78.5%). Mean total Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure and Job Satisfaction Survey were 34.3 ± 6 and 139.56 ± 2 respectively. Conclusion Graduates reported satisfactory educational environment, although support system emerged as an area requiring improvement. Job satisfaction was moderate overall, with higher satisfaction related to nature of work, coworkers, supervision, communication, and lower satisfaction regarding pay, promotion, fringe benefits, contingent rewards, and operating conditions.
Keyword : Academic, Graduates, Physiotherapy, Satisfaction