Objective: Our aims were (1) to assess the maximum working hours per week relating to good QoWL among doctors in public
hospitals in northeastern Thailand; and, (2) to assess the factors relating to good QoWL.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 206 good QoWL doctors and 428 not-good QoWL
doctors. The Thai Work-related Quality of Life Scale questionnaire was used (THQoWL). Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic
regressions were applied and odds ratio with 95% CI presented.

Results: Among both the good and not-good QoWL doctors, there were no significant differences vis-a-vis males vs. females, having
no underlying disease(s), province worked in, and hospital level (secondary/tertiary). The majority of good QoWL doctors were
older than 40, married, working in a university hospital, being a specialist, doing shiftwork (up to 100 h/month), less in working hours per week, and having savings. The majority of not-good QoWL doctors were general practitioners. Maximum working hours of 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 h/week were associated with good QoWL; however, 50 h/week had the strongest association (AOR 3.11, 95% CI: 1.98, 4.88, p<0.001). Other significant related factors were: being in a leadership position; having savings; working at a university hospital; and, doing shift work up to 100 h/month.

Conclusion: Working 50 h/week was most strongly associated with good QoWL; thus, to improve the QoWL among doctors working hours should be limited.

Keywords: Quality of working life (QoWL), Doctors, Working hours, Work-related Quality of Life Scale