Exploring job satisfaction, career compromise, and turnover intentions among Indian physiotherapists: Insights from a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundPrior studies have demonstrated that healthcare personnel experience career compromise and diminished job satisfaction when there is a divergence between real and anticipated career aspirations. Reduced job satisfaction correlates with increased turnover intentions. Research on the influence of career compromise among Indian physiotherapists on turnover intentions is scarce.ObjectiveTo investigate the correlations among career compromise, job satisfaction, and turnover intention among Indian physiotherapists.MethodsData were gathered from 740 physiotherapists between September and November 2025 through an online cross-sectional survey. The Career Compromise Scale, Job Satisfaction Scale, and Turnover Intention Scale were utilised. Spearman's correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted.ResultsWeak, although statistically significant, relationships were identified between career compromise and job satisfaction (r = 0.231, p < 0.01), between career compromise and turnover intention (r = 0.165, p < 0.01), and between job satisfaction and turnover intention (r = -0.200, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that workplace autonomy (β = 0.37, p < 0.001) was the most significant predictor of job satisfaction, succeeded by senior position (β = 0.23, p < 0.001), public sector employment (β = 0.18, p < 0.001), and job security (β = 0.19, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe statistically significant associations between career compromise, job satisfaction, and turnover intention were weak, suggesting that organisational and workplace factors may play a greater role in workforce retention among Indian physiotherapists.