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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Research article

The global prevalence of turnover intention among general practitioners: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Xing Shen, Heng Jiang, Hongbin Xu, Jun Ye, Chuanzhu Lv, Zuxun Lu, Yong Gan

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

General practitioners (GPs) are the foundation of any primary healthcare system. Their quality and quantity are directly associated with the effectiveness and quality of the health services of a nation. GPs’ shortage and turnover have become an important issue in developed and developing countries.
An accurate estimate of turnover intention prevalence among GPs would have important health policy implications, but the overall prevalence is unknown. We aimed to summarize the global prevalence of turnover intention and associated factors among GPs.

Methods

We systematically reviewed the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases from their inception up to May 2020, as well as the reference lists of all included studies. We included observational studies that reported data on turnover intention or their prevalence rate among GPs could be calculated based on the information provided. The prevalence rate of the turnover intentions was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistic. Differences by study level characteristics were estimated via subgroup analysis and meta-regression.

Results

A total of 25 cross-sectional studies were included (a total of 27,285 participants). The prevalence of turnover intention was 0.47 (95% CI: 0.39–0.55). Those having a lower level of salary (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.13–1.63) and job satisfaction (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.12–1.70) or having lower level of morale (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.56–3.80) had a higher intention. In contrast, GPs with a lower level of professional title had a lower turnover intention (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.65–0.98).

Conclusions

In this systematic review, approximately half of the GPs had the intention to leave their current posts worldwide. The factors associated with turnover intention were higher professional title, lower income level, lower job satisfaction and lower morale.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
The global prevalence of turnover intention among general practitioners: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
Xing Shen
Heng Jiang
Hongbin Xu
Jun Ye
Chuanzhu Lv
Zuxun Lu
Yong Gan
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-020-01309-4

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