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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Turnover intention and related factors among general practitioners in Hubei, China: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Yong Gan, Yanhong Gong, Yawen Chen, Shiyi Cao, Liqing Li, Yanfeng Zhou, Chulani Herath, Wenzhen Li, Xingyue Song, Jing Li, Tingting Yang, Xiaoxv Yin, Zuxun Lu

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

High 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.

Methods

A 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.

Results

Based 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.

Conclusion

This 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.
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Metadata
Title
Turnover intention and related factors among general practitioners in Hubei, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors
Yong Gan
Yanhong Gong
Yawen Chen
Shiyi Cao
Liqing Li
Yanfeng Zhou
Chulani Herath
Wenzhen Li
Xingyue Song
Jing Li
Tingting Yang
Xiaoxv Yin
Zuxun Lu
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-018-0752-3

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