| Abstract |
Purpose of the study
The objective of the study was to measure graduates’ satisfaction of Master
Programmes in the area of Health Care Management, provided by 3 Greek State
Universities. Graduates’ demographic, educational and employment status
characteristics before and after graduation have been examined for potential
influence on satisfaction scoring. Additionally formulating, establishing and applying
a suitable and reliable tool were necessities for the needs of the present study. The
questionnaire was based on similar tools thus has been adjusted in the reality of
Greek Higher Education. Furthermore, factors affecting graduates’ positive Word of
Mouth Communication have been examined.
Design/methodology/approach
Master graduates of the study (n=162), from 2003-2007 admission years,
filled in the questionnaire electronically (web-based) or by phone interview. Overall
response rate was 50.6%. Thirty seven statements were used for satisfaction
measure while other questionnaire parts recorded demographic, occupational and
educational characteristics of the graduates.
Findings
Analysis revealed seven factors titled as teaching, skills, assessment,
feedback, social opportunities, facilities and organization of the course. Gender and
first degree content do not affect the produced total satisfaction score. Married
participants scored higher than singles in three factors and older participants scored
higher than younger ones in two factors. University’s of Crete graduates scored
higher than other graduates in two factors, however, total satisfaction score was not
significant different among graduates of the three Master Courses. Concerning
graduates’ employment characteristics (part time/full time job, public/private sector,
indefinite/fixed term contract, employment/unemployment) satisfaction scores did
not vary in any factor among graduates of different status per characteristic, neither
before nor after graduation. Graduates who received higher salaries after graduation
scored higher in factor two comparing to graduates that have been categorized in
lower salary scales. Graduates that have been in a more favorable job position after
graduation comparing to others (full time, public sector, indefinite contract) did not
express higher levels of satisfaction.
A group of variables has been tested, using simple and multiple logistic
regression, in order to measure the effect on strengthening graduates’ intention to
recommend the Master Course to others (positive Word of Mouth Communication).
Graduates who showed high overall satisfaction level of the Master Program, adopt
positive Wοrd of Mouth Communication recommending it to interested parties. In
contrast, unemployment or work seeking affects negatively graduates’ intention to
propose the Master Program to others.
Conclusions
Measuring graduates’ satisfaction and relative aspects can provide valuable
indicators to stakeholders. In the present study, tracking the effect of graduates’
demographic and educational characteristics along with exploring the impact of
employment status on satisfaction provided a first insight about Master graduates
surveyed. Additionally, findings relative to their positive «Word of Mouth
Communication» intention can be interpreted as initial evidence to Master Courses’
managers for supporting their graduates in job seeking procedures. Future research
and participants’ follow up is needed to formulate a more inclusive view on
satisfaction.
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Αξιολόγηση πανεπιστημιακών προγραμμάτων μεταπτυχιακών σπουδών στη Δημόσια Υγεία-Διοίκηση Υπηρεσιών Υγείας στην Ελλάδα
