Abstract
BackgroundThere has been great shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs) in China, especially in western areas. Job satisfaction plays a great role in retaining people. The aim of this study is to investigate the job satisfaction of PCPs and associated factors in 11 provinces of western China, thus providing necessary reference values for stabilizing the primary care workforce and improving the quality of primary care services.MethodA sample of 2103 PCPs working in western China were surveyed using a stratified, multistage and random sampling method in 2011. The characteristics of participants were recorded by a structured questionnaire. A multilevel model (MLM) and quantile regression (QR) were applied to assess the association between job satisfaction and possible risk factors.ResultsOf the 2103 doctors surveyed, the overall satisfaction score was 3.26 ± 0.68 (from 1 to 5). MLM indicated that age group, income satisfaction, unit policy approval, personal planning, career attitude, work value and patient recognition were positively correlated with job satisfaction, while turnover intention was negatively correlated with job satisfaction. QR were not completely consistent with MLM and further explored the differences in different job satisfaction score percentiles on each domains.ConclusionThis study showed that the job satisfaction of PCPs in western China was not high. The MLM and QR discussed were not entirely consistent, the latter one provided more information and robust results. Measures should be taken in streamlining administration and institute decentralization, creating more opportunities for additional training, raising PCPs’ income, improving the social status of doctors and improving the relationship between doctors and patients.
Highlights
There has been great shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs) in China, especially in western areas
multilevel model (MLM) indicated that age group, income satisfaction, unit policy approval, personal planning, career attitude, work value and patient recognition were positively correlated with job satisfaction, while turnover intention was negatively correlated with job satisfaction
This study showed that the job satisfaction of PCPs in western China was not high
Summary
There has been great shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs) in China, especially in western areas. The aim of this study is to investigate the job satisfaction of PCPs and associated factors in 11 provinces of western China, providing necessary reference values for stabilizing the primary care workforce and improving the quality of primary care services. Xi Li’s study noted vital importance of primary care in achieving the goals of fairness and efficiency in health care [4]. There are few opportunities for continuing education and further studies for mastering medical technology and equipment, and less career development opportunities In this difficult situation, how to retain them is a very important issue for related health service managers and policy makers. Research on the influencing factors of job satisfaction among PCPs has important practical significance
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