Improving job satisfaction of Chinese doctors: the positive effects of perceived organizational support and psychological capital

Objectives: The huge population basic and the transformational changes to healthcare system in China have gained wide public attention in recent years. Along with these issues is a growing literature about doctor's job satisfaction; however, more is known about its negative related factors. Thus, this study was an attempt to assess the level of job satisfaction among Chinese doctors and to explore factors that enhance their job satisfaction. Study design: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period of September/October 2010. A questionnaire containing job satisfaction assessed by Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), demographic characteristics, work conditions, psychological capital (PsyCap) and perceived organizational support (POS) was distributed to 1300 registered doctors in Liaoning province. A total of 984 respondents became our subjects (effective response rate 75.7%). Hierarchical regression was performed to explore the factors associated with satisfaction. Results: The average MSQ score was 65.86 (level ranking for MSQ, 20-100) in our study population. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that POS (beta = 0.412, P < 0.001), PsyCap (beta = 0.255, P < 0.001), incentive system (beta = 0.119, P < 0.001) and educational background (beta = 0.056, P = 0.042) were positively associated with job satisfaction. Conclusions: The job satisfaction of Chinese doctors was at a moderate level. POS and PsyCap seemed to be the most crucial factors in relation to job satisfaction. Therefore, efficient measures such as building a supportive work environment and developing doctors' PsyCap should be considered by health administrators in order to promote job satisfaction among Chinese doctors. (C) 2013 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.