Exploring the doctor-patient relationship as a challenge job demand: application of the job demands–resources model in a Chinese public hospital

Abstract

In the increasingly commercialized healthcare environment in China, doctor-patient relationship (DPR) act as a job demand for doctors that is linked to various motivational outcomes. Drawing on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and the conservation of resources theory, we develop a preliminary conceptual model that links Leader Member Exchange (LMX) as a job resource, and DPR as a challenge job demand, to the levels of work engagement and turnover intentions of doctors working in this healthcare environment. Using two-wave data collected from 381 doctors in a public hospital, we found support for the hypothesized model. Results of a series of SEM analyses revealed that LMX was positively related to DPR and work engagement, while DPR partially mediates the path from LMX to work engagement. In addition, LMX is negatively related to turnover intentions through DPR and subsequently work engagement. Theoretically, this study contributes to the development of the JD-R model by investigating the concept of challenge job demand, and its role in the motivational process, with new evidence from healthcare occupations in China. Practically, this study contributes to the limited number of studies on managing the changing nature of the DPR in China, and in seeking potential solutions based on established organizational constructs.

Turnover behavior and intention among dentists in comparison with clinicians: A Cross- Sectional Study in China

“…As for the work-related factors, it was found that concern about doctor-patient relationship and workload were factors correlated with turnover intention of both clinicians and dentists. It agreed with the previous studies that pessimistic perception of the doctor-patient relationship [35] and low satisfaction or high stress of workload [12,36,37] were positively related to medical workers' turnover intention. According to a survey conducted in Guangdong, China, it was reported that almost half of the doctors experienced at least one medical dispute over the previous 12 months, and 87.6% of the doctors deemed doctor-patient relationship as tense or very tense [38].…”

Group citizenship behaviour in healthcare organization, doctor‐patient relationship, work engagement and turnover intention: A moderated mediation model

“…Doctor-patient relationship was measured with the DPR scale in China (DPR-C). 40 The scale includes two components of doctor's perceptions of the DPR: (1) patient-centred treatment, including 'I provide the optimal treatment to my patient after considering many alternatives'); and (2) mutual trust between the patient and doctor, including 'My patient trusts that I will put his or her medical need in the first place'. The Cronbach's α was 0.88.…”

Research on the Cooperative Governance Path of Multiple Stakeholders in Doctor–Patient Disputes under the Environment of Information Asymmetry

“…believe that the government should play a role in governance. They pointed out that the government should scientifically design the framework of laws and regulations for doctor–patient disputes in China, clarify critical points such as risk prevention and patient-centeredness [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], and should give full play to the role of third-party mediation mechanisms in resolving doctor–patient disputes [ 20 , 21 ].…”