The association between doctors’presenteeism and job burnout: a cross-sectional survey study in China

Abstract

Background: It is necessary to examine doctors working with illness from a professional point of view, because it is not only related to their occupational health, but also, more importantly, will affect the treatment effect of patients and the overall medical level of the hospital. Research shows that physicians often report job burnout and have a high level of presenteeism, but few studies concerns the relationship between job burnout and presenteeism. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between physiciandoctors’ presenteeism and three dimensions of job burnout in China, and to identify other aspects that are associated with presenteeism.Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving physiciandoctors in second-and third-class medical institutions (except for primary doctors) was conducted in the interior of China. Using one item measure about presenteeism and a 15-item Chinese version of the BMI-GS questionnaire, this study investigated prevalence of physiciandoctors' presenteeism behavior and job burnout, and determined the relationship between presenteeism and job burnout by logistical model.Results: Relationships between presenteeism and three dimensions of job burnout were explored, and the influence of demography and work factors were evaluated. The survey was completed by 1376/1547 hospital doctors, with a response rate of 88.9%. Presenteeism was reported by 30.7% of participants. 30.7%(n=422) of the subjects reported having presenteeism behavior. Using MBI-GS, 86.8% (n=1195) of all physiciandoctors had moderate job burnout and 6.0%(n=82) were severe job burnout. Logistic regression analysis showed that physiciandoctors with medium, high degree of emotional exhaustion and high degree of cynicism were more likely to associate with presenteeismpractice presenteeism (all p < 0.05). In addition, two other work-related factors, including the physiciandoctor's department and position, were also more likely to relate with theirpresenteeism (all p < 0.05).Conclusions: By examining the relationship between presenteeism and job burnout, this study determined that there is indeed a significant correlation between the two. This result has a certain reference value for the development of work health, especially presenteeism and job burnout theory, and also makes a certain contribution to the relevant research literature.At present, there is quite presenteeism among physicians in the second-and third-class medical institutions in China, which is significantly related to emotional exhaustion and cynicism. Considering the modifiable job-related factors, health care institutions must take appropriate measures to relieve physicians' job burnout, help them adjust their self-awareness properly, and ensure occupational mental health to alleviate the prevalence of presenteeism.