Burnout and job satisfaction of psychiatrists in China: a nationwide survey

Hao Yao,Peicheng Wang,Yi-Lang Tang,Yuanli Liu,Feng Jiang,Tingfang Liu,Jiming Zhu,Huanzhong Liu,Yanhua Chen

doi:10.1186/s12888-021-03568-6

Abstract

BackgroundDespite a significant shortage of psychiatrists in China, an ever-increasing number of psychiatrists in China are experiencing burnout and job dissatisfaction and considering leaving their jobs. Yet, to our knowledge, there have been no nationwide studies to date that examined both burnout and job dissatisfaction of psychiatrists in China. Therefore, this study evaluated burnout and job dissatisfaction of psychiatrists in China, and identified relevant characteristics.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional survey in March 2019. Psychiatrists from all tertiary psychiatric hospitals in China were invited to participate. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey and the short version of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to measure burnout and job satisfaction. Data on socio-demographic and occupational characteristics were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify socio-demographic and occupational characteristics associated with burnout and job satisfaction.ResultsIn total, 4520 psychiatrists from tertiary psychiatric hospitals in China completed the questionnaire. Overall, 38.4% of respondents met the criteria for burnout and 35.6% were dissatisfied with their jobs. Being male, more years of practice, having no leadership role, and longer working hours per week were significantly associated with burnout and job dissatisfaction. Lower monthly pay was significantly associated with job dissatisfaction but not burnout. Moreover, burnout was significantly associated with job dissatisfaction.ConclusionsOur data suggest a high rate of burnout and job dissatisfaction among psychiatrists in China. In order to preserve and strengthen the mental health workforce, proactive measures are urgently needed to mitigate burnout and job dissatisfaction among psychiatrists in China.

Highlights

Despite a significant shortage of psychiatrists in China, an ever-increasing number of psychiatrists in China are experiencing burnout and job dissatisfaction and considering leaving their jobs
To cover all the psychiatrists working at tertiary psychiatric hospital (TPH) in China, we collaborated with each province’s Health Commission to issue a notice about this survey to all the TPHs situated in the corresponding province, and the hospital administrators of these TPHs organized and facilitated the psychiatrists working at their hospitals to participate in this survey
Socio-demographic and occupational characteristics of respondents In total, there were 6986 psychiatrists working at 41 TPHs in China in 2019, and they were all invited to participate in this study

Summary

Introduction

Despite a significant shortage of psychiatrists in China, an ever-increasing number of psychiatrists in China are experiencing burnout and job dissatisfaction and considering leaving their jobs. To our knowledge, there have been no nationwide studies to date that examined both burnout and job dissatisfaction of psychiatrists in China. This study evaluated burnout and job dissatisfaction of psychiatrists in China, and identified relevant characteristics. One nationally representative study showed that the prevalence of anxiety or depression or both was as high as 20.4% among the general adult population in China at the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic [6]. Do mental disorders have high personal costs for patients. It was estimated that the year 2013 witnessed a total annual cost of $88.8 billion attributed to mental disorders in China, which was nearly four times that in 2005 [7]

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Discussion

Conclusion