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Background--A considerable amount of studies have examined the relationship between off-hours (weekends and nights) admission and mortality risk for various diseases, but the results remain equivocal.

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BackgroundHigh occupational burnout among general practitioners (GPs) is an important challenge to China’s efforts to strengthen its primary healthcare delivery; however, data to help understand this issue are unavailable. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of burnout and associated factors among GPs.MethodsA cross-sectional design was used to collect data from December 12, 2014, to March 10, 2015, with a self-administered structured questionnaire from 1015 GPs (response rate, 85.6%) in Hubei Province, Central China. Burnout was measured using a 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). MBI-HSS scores and frequency were analyzed by the three dimensions of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Factors associated with burnout among GPs were estimated using a multiple linear regression model.ResultsOf the respondents, 2.46% had a high level of burnout in all three dimensions, 24.83% reported high levels of EE, 6.21% scored high on DP, and 33.99% were at high risk of PA. GPs who were unmarried, had lower levels of job satisfaction, and had been exposed to workplace violence experienced higher levels of burnout. Intriguingly, no statistically significant associations were found between burnout and the duration of GP practice, age, sex, income, practice setting, and professional level.ConclusionThis is the first study of occupational burnout in Chinese general practice. Burnout is prevalent among GPs in Hubei, China. Interventions aimed at increasing job satisfaction, improving doctor-patient relationships and providing safer workplace environments may be promising strategies to reduce burnout among GPs in Hubei, China.

BackgroundHigh turnover among general practitioners (GPs) is a significant challenge in China’s efforts to build a sustainable, effective primary care system, but little data is available to help understand and address this issue. The study was aiming at assessing the intention to leave their posts among a sample of GPs and investigating associated factors.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 12, 2014 and March 10, 2015 in Hubei Province, Central China. A total of 1016 GPs (response rate, 85.67%) were investigated by using a structured self-administered questionnaire. A generalized linear regression model was used to identify the associated factors with turnover intention among GPs.ResultsBased on a full score of 24, the average score for GPs’ turnover intention was 15.40 (SD = 3.43). 78.35% of the GPs had a moderate or higher level of turnover intention. Six hundred and thirty one (62.37%) GPs had ever been exposed to abuse of any kind (physical assault, 18.92%; verbal abuse, 54.38%; threat, 33.79%; verbal sexual harassment, 22.66%; and physical sexual harassment, 7.59%). Generalized linear regression analysis indicated that GPs who were male; who had a vocational school or higher; who had a temporary work contract; who were with lower level of job satisfaction; who reported higher scores on emotional exhaustion; who had been exposed to higher frequency of workplace violence were expressed higher intention to leave their present positions.ConclusionThis study shows that GP’s intention to leave general practices is high in Hubei, China. In addition, the prevalence of workplace violence is high among GPs, particularly in the verbal abuse and threat. Measures such as offering permanent contract status, increasing overall job satisfaction, and improving doctor-patient relationship, are needed to moderate GP’s turnover intention in order to maintain the foundation of China’s three-tier health system.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12875-018-0752-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.