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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research

Linking doctor-patient relationship to medical residents’ work engagement: The influences of role overload and conflict avoidance

Authors: Guangwei Deng, Wenjun Cai, Monica Yang, Jonathan Lio, Chenpeng Feng, Xiaopeng Ma, Liang Liang

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Chinese residents’ practical work experiences are different from those described in Western studies. To explore potential mechanisms underlying the effects of doctor-patient relationships on medical residents’ work engagement, verifying a posited mediating effect of role overload, and moderating effect of conflict avoidance, in the Chinese context.

Methods

Based on the conservation of resources theory, a composite model was constructed. This study’s data were collected from four different Chinese tertiary hospitals; 195 residents undergoing regularization training took this survey. Hierarchical moderated and mediated regression analyses were utilized.

Results

Doctor-patient relationship were found to be positively related to residents’ work engagement (β=0.31, p≤0.001). Role overload partially mediated the effect of these relationships on work engagement, and the moderating role of conflict avoidance in the relationship between doctor-patient relationship and conflict avoidance was negative.

Conclusion

Maintaining good doctor-patient relationship can prompt residents to increase their engagement in work in order to meet their patients’ needs. Furthermore, role overload has a particular influence in early career stages. Not only is it necessary for residents to gain a sense of recognition and support while they carry out their job responsibilities, especially while dealing with complex doctor-patient relationship, but it is also important to create work environments that can help residents shape their professional competency.
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Metadata
Title
Linking doctor-patient relationship to medical residents’ work engagement: The influences of role overload and conflict avoidance
Authors
Guangwei Deng
Wenjun Cai
Monica Yang
Jonathan Lio
Chenpeng Feng
Xiaopeng Ma
Liang Liang
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01541-6

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