Abstract
BackgroundThe main objectives of this study were as follows: (1) evaluate the prevalence of burnout syndrome among doctors, (2) establish associations with demographic factors in China, and (3) examine the mediating role of psychological attachment in the relationship between job burnout and career calling.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was conducted by administering an online questionnaire in May 2016. The survey was performed across Thirty provinces. In total, A total of 3016 Chinese doctors were selected as participants, of which 2617 completed valid questionnaires (effective response rate: 86.77%).ResultsThe overall prevalence of burnout symptoms among Chinese doctors was 85.79%. Little variance was reported for burnout symptoms according to age (Waldχ2 = 6.843, P < 0.05, OR < 1), professional title (Waldχ2 = 13.110, P < 0.05, OR > 1), and daily working hours (Waldχ2 = 7.226, P < 0.05, OR > 1). However, the burnout of Chinese doctors was found to be associated with psychological attachment (B = − 0.6433, P < 0.0001) and career calling (B = 0.3653, P < 0.0001); furthermore, psychological attachment (B = 0.2350, P < 0.001) mediated the relationship between job burnout and career calling.ConclusionBurnout symptoms among Chinese doctors were prevalent and associated with age, professional title, and long working hours. Chinese doctors aged 20–30 experienced a much higher level of burnout symptoms. The longer hours doctors worked, the more likely they were at risk of burnout symptoms, especially among attending physicians. Doctors who endured high-level burnout tended to exhibit decreasing psychological attachment, which threatened their sense of career calling. Finally, this paper proposed related explanations for the function mechanisms based on both theoretical and practical perspectives.
Highlights
The main objectives of this study were as follows: (1) evaluate the prevalence of burnout syndrome among doctors, (2) establish associations with demographic factors in China, and (3) examine the mediating role of psychological attachment in the relationship between job burnout and career calling
The various adverse effects resulting from doctor burnout merit constant attention, which raises the question: given these deteriorating professional environments, how do doctors evaluate their own careers given that they are under tremendous stress and experiencing burnout? for doctors in highly challenging situations, ‘career calling’ can be regarded as a personal resource which provides their lives with meaning, increased resilience, and mechanisms for coping with challenges, further buffering the wider effects of burnout [8]
What are the objectives of this study? This study comprehensively investigated the following research questions: (1) how prevalent is burnout syndrome among doctors, and what differences in demographic factors can be established? (2) What is the relationship between job burnout, psychological attachment, and career calling? (3) How does job burnout threaten doctors’ career calling and does psychological attachment play a specific role in the relationship between burnout and career calling?
Summary
The main objectives of this study were as follows: (1) evaluate the prevalence of burnout syndrome among doctors, (2) establish associations with demographic factors in China, and (3) examine the mediating role of psychological attachment in the relationship between job burnout and career calling. Zhang et al BMC Health Services Research (2020) 20:193 is understandable that professional burnout among doctors has drawn continuous attention among academics and the public worldwide. It is interesting to study how burnout affects doctors’ sense of career calling and whether psychological attachment plays a specific role in this relationship. The topic of the ‘career calling’ of doctors has received little international academic attention. This means that the more extensive adverse effects of doctor burnout are likely being ignored. The present study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the correlation between doctor burnout, psychological attachment, and career calling, as well as to verify possibly existing mechanism
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
