A cross-sectional study of job burnout, psychological attachment, and the career calling of Chinese doctors

Abstract

Background: The main objectives of this study were as follows: (1) evaluate the prevalence of burnout syndrome among doctors, (2) establish associations with demographic factors in China, and (3) examine the mediating role of psychological attachment in the relationship between job burnout and career calling. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted by administering an online questionnaire in May 2016. The survey was performed across Thirty provinces. In total, A total of 3016 Chinese doctors were selected as participants, of which 2617 completed valid questionnaires (effective response rate: 86.77%). Results: The overall prevalence of burnout symptoms among Chinese doctors was 85.79%. Little variance was reported for burnout symptoms according to age (Waldχ 2 = 6.843, P < 0.05, OR < 1), professional title (Waldχ 2 = 13.110, P < 0.05, OR > 1), and daily working hours (Waldχ 2 = 7.226, P < 0.05, OR > 1). However, the burnout of Chinese doctors was found to be associated with psychological attachment (B = − 0.6433, P < 0.0001) and career calling (B = 0.3653, P < 0.0001); furthermore, psychological attachment (B = 0.2350, P < 0.001) mediated the relationship between job burnout and career calling. Conclusion: Burnout symptoms among Chinese doctors were prevalent and associated with age, professional title, and long working hours. Chinese doctors aged 20-30 experienced a much higher level of burnout symptoms. The longer hours doctors worked, the more likely they were at risk of burnout symptoms, especially among attending physicians. Doctors who endured high-level burnout tended to exhibit decreasing psychological attachment, which threatened their sense of career calling. Finally, this paper proposed related explanations for the function mechanisms based on both theoretical and practical perspectives.

Status, causes and consequences of physicians’ self-perceived professional reputation damage in China: a cross-sectional survey

“…Moreover, three out of five participants reported low-level subjective well-being. Above these findings are similar conclusions with other report’s [ 42 ], which together imply that Chinese physicians are suffering from the increasingly serious occupational environment and awful well-being. In this case, more than 70% of the participants disapproved of their offspring becoming a physician, which also is a novel finding from current study.…”

COVID-19 Outbreak Can Change the Job Burnout in Health Care Professionals

“…Next, a cross-sectional study of 2,502 nurses conducted in 2017 showed that the prevalence of job burnout was 64.06%, with 30.14% being moderate and severe combined ( 34 ). In 2016, a study found that the overall prevalence of all degrees of burnout was 85.79%, and the breakdown according to severity is as follows: 40.0% mild, 27.2% moderate, and 7.4% severe burnout among 2,617 participating Chinese doctors ( 35 ). A study that took place in 2013 containing 1,435 nurses from two large general hospitals showed that the overall prevalence of all degrees of burnout was 74.6%, with 40.0% mild, 27.2% moderate, and 7.4% severe burnout ( 17 ).…”

Occupational Burnout Among Frontline Health Professionals in a High-Risk Area During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Structural Equation Model

“…On the other hand, this study revealed that during this extreme situation, health professionals fighting the COVID-19 outbreak suffered severe emotional exhaustion and cynicism, but their professional performance, efficacy, and pride did not diminish under extremely difficult circumstances. It is important to note that before COVID-19, occupational burnout was frequently observed in Chinese health professionals ( 28 – 30 ). Although the burnout incidence was high in the current results, it was not higher than a previous study of Chinese doctors ( 30 ).…”

“…It is important to note that before COVID-19, occupational burnout was frequently observed in Chinese health professionals ( 28 – 30 ). Although the burnout incidence was high in the current results, it was not higher than a previous study of Chinese doctors ( 30 ). The different prevalence of burnout in health professionals was associated with different measurements, participants' ages, and specific occupations and was also impacted by individual factors ( 29 , 30 ).…”