The Job Satisfaction and Influencing Factors among General Practitioners in Primary Healthcare Institutions

Background There is a significant shortage of general practitioners at primary healthcare institutions in China, and their low job satisfaction is a crucial factor leading to the scarcity of talents. Objective To understand the job satisfaction and related factors among general practitioners (GPs) from primary healthcare institutions in Chengdu. Methods From December 2018 to January 2019, a questionnaire survey was conducted on all registered general practitioners working at primary healthcare institutions in Chengdu (n=1 549). The questionnaire included their basic information, job satisfaction, and their suggestions for improving job satisfaction. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing job satisfaction among GPs. Results A total of 1 539 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 99.35%. The overall job satisfaction of general practitioners was (114.0±17.2), indicating a "moderate" level. The average score of job workflow dimensions was the lowest (10.6±2.5), indicating "dissatisfaction". Other dimensions scored at a "moderate" level. The scores for salary and welfare dimension were relatively low at (11.8±2.8) and (11.6±2.8) respectively. There were statistically significant differences in overall job satisfaction among GPs of different genders and age groups (P<0.05) ; however, no statistical significance was found among GPs with different educational backgrounds, titles, and years of work experience (P>0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age was a significant factor affecting overall job satisfaction of GPs (P<0.05). GPs aged 30-39 [OR (95%CI) =0.132 (0.035-0.494) ] and 40-49 [OR (95%CI) =0.207 (0.065-0.664) ] had lower job satisfaction compared to those aged 50 and above (P<0.05). A total of 419 individuals made suggestions for improving their job satisfaction, resulting in a total of 427 suggestions. Among these, "improving benefits" ranked the highest (25.53%, 109/427) . Conclusion The overall job satisfaction of GPs in primary healthcare institutions in Chengdu is generally moderate, with the least satisfaction regarding workflow and the greatest desire for improved benefits. Age is a factor influencing job satisfaction among GPs. It is recommended to take effective measures to enhance job satisfaction among GPs by addressing their areas of dissatisfaction, such as streamlining workflow and implementing a system of "fair distribution according to work performance".