A comparative study on healthcare employee satisfaction between Japan and China

Abstract

Summary Objectives To explore essential characteristics of healthcare employee satisfaction by comparing Japan and China in terms of job satisfaction model, satisfaction level, and the crucial factors predicting overall job satisfaction. Methods A questionnaire was developed with 35 facet‐specific job‐related satisfaction and 10 general satisfaction items. The Japanese survey collected 474 responses (74% response rate). Two additional items were added in the Chinese survey and 429 responses were collected (69%). Results The same five‐factor satisfaction model was acquired from both countries with an additional factor labelled “relationship with patients” for China. Applying these factors, a moderate satisfaction level was observed for all professional groups in China, whereas it varied in Japan. A moderate‐to‐high satisfaction was seen for physicians, a moderate level for pharmacists and technologists, and a low level for nurses. Japanese physicians were significantly more satisfied than Chinese physicians, whereas Japanese nurses were less satisfied than Chinese nurses. Both countries shared crucial predictors of overall job satisfaction that were reputation, growth and development, and work demands and workload. Additionally, financial rewards and relationship with patients were critically important for the Chinese. Conclusions Japanese and Chinese healthcare employees shared the job satisfaction model with an extra factor for Chinese. Satisfaction levels were similar for pharmacists and technologists in the two countries, but largely different for physicians and nurses. Because crucial satisfaction factors differed, it is suggested that strategies to improve job satisfaction should be specific to culture and profession, eg, in Chinese hospitals, management should support more to employees especially physicians for dealing with conflicts and medical disputes with patients.

Job Satisfaction among Swedish Pharmacists

“…Compared to other studies investigating job satisfaction both in Sweden and in other countries [ 11 , 29 , 32 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ], the present study, as well as the previous investigation in 2015 [ 19 ], showed that job satisfaction among the graduates was higher. Furthermore, a majority of graduates answered maybe or definitely yes to the question of whether they would start the same career if they were to choose again, thus indicating that most of the graduates were satisfied with their choice of career.…”

Medical disputes and patient satisfaction in China: How does hospital management matter?

“…6 Relationship with patients is an important factor of job satisfaction for Chinese physicians. 7 Meanwhile, the increasing risk of medical litigation can lead to physicians recommending 'safer' procedures to avoid litigation, which may increase medical cost, reduce access to care, and even bring physical harm to patients. 8,9 Medical expenditures are positively related to the incidence of malpractice lawsuits.…”

“…Stresses brought by medical disputes have resulted in physical and psychological problems to physicians, indicated by lower sleep quality and self‐reported health 6 . Relationship with patients is an important factor of job satisfaction for Chinese physicians 7 . Meanwhile, the increasing risk of medical litigation can lead to physicians recommending ‘safer’ procedures to avoid litigation, which may increase medical cost, reduce access to care, and even bring physical harm to patients 8,9 .…”

The Impacts of Disclosure and a Proactive Compensation Offer on Chinese Patients’ Actions After Medical Errors

“…20 In addition to the barriers to error disclosure that also exist in other countries (e.g., the fear of litigation, and the lack of a disclosure culture, skill, and/or guidance), 2,11,25,26 Chinese health care providers are extremely fearful of patient violence in response to disclosure, as it is a frequent phenomenon. 27 However, failure to disclose errors is unacceptable, and they should be revealed with transparency and integrity. Error disclosure is an important issue because it is a promising way to reduce the number of lawsuits against a health care institution, enhance patient satisfaction, and provide relief for the health care providers who were involved in the incidents.…”