Abstract
Background: Gender has been associated with job-related experience, including job satisfaction and work-life balance. This study aimed to identify gender differences in job satisfaction and work-life balance among Chinese physicians in a large, nationally representative sample.Methods: A national cross-sectional survey was conducted between March 18 and 31, 2019, using an anonymous online questionnaire. The questionnaire included the short-form MSQ (Chinese version) and a work-life balance item. The demographic and job-related factors were also collected.Findings: In total, 22,128 physicians (9,378 males and 12,750 females) from 144 tertiary public hospitals completed the survey. The overall MSQ score (job satisfaction) was 70.31 ± 12.67, and it was 69.89 ± 13.24 in males, and 70.63 ± 12.22 in females, respectively (p < 0.001). Only 931 (4.21%) physicians were very satisfied with WLB (421 males, 510 females), and 2,534 (11.45%) were rated as satisfied. Age, education, monthly income, working hours, specialty, and professional titles were significantly associated with job satisfaction; while number of children, specialty, professional titles, monthly income, age, working hours were significantly associated with WLB. No significant gender differences were observed in job satisfaction or WLB after controlling confounding factors (both p > 0.05).Interpretation: While many demographic and work-related factors are significantly associated with job satisfaction and WLB, we found no significant gender differences, which is different from many other studies. To improve Chinese physicians' job satisfaction and work-life balance, interventions should be focused on certain specialties and on other modifiable factors, such as income, working hours.
Highlights
Job satisfaction can be defined as the attitudes resulting from one’s job experience [1, 2]
In the multi-level linear regression analysis model, we found that physicians with doctorate degrees, in Ob/Gyn and “Miscellaneous departments”, with senior professional titles, with a monthly income of more than 10,000 RMBs, in specialty hospitals, had higher Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) scores, with middle and associate senior professional titles, elder, longer working hours were significantly associated with lower MSQ scores
This study was among the first studies focusing on gender differences in job satisfaction and Work-life balance (WLB) based on a nationally representative physician sample in China, covering a wide range in terms of specialty, hospital types, and geographical regions
Summary
Job satisfaction can be defined as the attitudes resulting from one’s job experience [1, 2]. Many studies have examined gender differences of job satisfaction in physicians. Work-life balance (WLB) is a common concept with no universally accepted definition. It can be roughly defined as the state of equilibrium degree of how a person prioritizes the demands of his/her career and the needs of his/her personal life, with a minimum role conflict at work and at home life [18]. Gender has been associated with job-related experience, including job satisfaction and work-life balance. This study aimed to identify gender differences in job satisfaction and work-life balance among Chinese physicians in a large, nationally representative sample
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
