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ObjectiveTo explore the factors influencing doctors’ job satisfaction and morale in China, in the context of the ongoing health system reforms and the deteriorating doctor–patient relationship.DesignCross-sectional survey using self-completion questionnaires.Study settingThe survey was conducted from March to May 2012 among doctors at the provincial, county and primary care levels in Zhejiang Province, China.ResultsThe questionnaire was completed by 202 doctors. Factors which contributed most to low job satisfaction were low income and long working hours. Provincial level doctors were most dissatisfied while primary care doctors were the least dissatisfied. Three per cent of doctors at high-level hospitals and 27% of those in primary care were satisfied with the salary. Only 7% at high-level hospitals were satisfied with the work hours, compared to 43% in primary care. Less than 10% at high levels were satisfied with the amount of paid vacation time (3%) and paid sick leave (5%), compared with 38% and 41%, respectively, in primary care. Overall, 87% reported that patients were more likely to sue and that patient violence against doctors was increasing. Only 4.5% wanted their children to be doctors. Of those 125 who provided a reason, 34% said poor pay, 17% said it was a high-risk profession, and 9% expressed concerns about personal insecurity or patient violence.ConclusionsDoctors have low job satisfaction overall. Recruitment and retention of doctors have become major challenges for the Chinese health system. Measures must be taken to address this, in order to ensure recruitment and retention of doctors in the future. These measures must first include reduction of doctors’ workload, especially at provincial hospitals, partly through incentivisation of appropriate utilisation of primary care, increase in doctors’ salary and more effective measures to tackle patient violence against doctors.

Background Although the etiology of hallux valgus

One of the main objectives of hallux valgus surgery is correction of the metatarsus primus varus deformity by osteotomy, arthrodesis, or soft tissue correction. The syndesmosis procedure uses intermetatarsal cerclage sutures to realign the first metatarsal and also induces a syndesmotic bonding between the first and second metatarsals to prevent metatarsus primus varus deformity recurrence. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate radiologic evidence of the effectiveness of the syndesmosis concept and to identify the incidence and nature of deformity recurrence. A total of 55 feet from 60 consecutive procedures were followed regularly at 6 fixed points for 5 years. The radiologic inclusion criterion was a first intermetatarsal angle >9° or metatarsophalangeal angle >20°. The initial postoperative radiographs showed significant correction of the intermetatarsal angle from a preoperative average of 14.5° to 4.3° (p < .0001). It had increased to 7.0° during the first 6 postoperative months but remained within the normal upper limit of 9° and exhibited no further significant changes for the subsequent 4.5 years (p = .0792). Hallux valgus deformity correction also correlated with metatarsus primus varus deformity correction. Three (5%) second metatarsal stress fractures occurred, and all recovered uneventfully. In conclusion, we have report the findings from a detailed medium long-term follow-up study showing, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time that metatarsus primus varus and hallux valgus deformities can be effectively corrected and maintained using a specific surgical technique. Also included are 6 relevant radiographs and photographs of the included and excluded feet in the online Supplementary Material for reference.

To reduce the morbidity and mortality of CRC significantly, average risk and high-risk groups should be encouraged to come forward for screening even if they are asymptomatic. Educating the population, simplifying the screening procedure and offering financial support by the government are keys to success.