Work-family conflict and its related factors among emergency department physicians in China: A national cross-sectional study

Work-family conflict among primary health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Its mediating role in the relationship between workload and job burnout

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study explores the situation of workload, work-family conflict and job burnout among primary health workers in China in the context of COVID-19 and identifies the mediating effect of work-family conflict between workload and job burnout.

BACKGROUND

Since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, primary health workers have been working on the frontline of the epidemic and may experience increasing workload, work-family conflict and job burnout. It is important to focus on the issue of how to alleviate job burnout of primary health workers.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study (STROBE) was used.

METHODS

Data were collected from 785 primary health workers in China. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the mediating effect of work-family conflict between workload and job burnout.

RESULTS

18.7%, 10.4% and 39.5% of respondents had high job burnout in the dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment, respectively. 34.6% of the respondents had high or very high workload, and 12.8% of the respondents had high or very high work-family conflict. Results of multiple regression analysis indicated that work-family conflict mediated the relationship between workload and job burnout. Workload (β = .163, CI = .207-.549) and work-family conflict (β = .211, CI = .311-.640) positively influenced job burnout, and workload (β = .428, CI = .375-.508) positively influenced work-family conflict.

CONCLUSION

The study indicated that primary health workers experienced a high level of job burnout, especially in the personal accomplishment dimension. Furthermore, this study verified the mediating effect of work-family conflict between workload and job burnout.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Some interventions for alleviating workload, work-family conflict and job burnout should be taken, including workplace assistance programmes, family-friendly policies and a well-integrated healthcare system.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This study does not involve patient or public contribution in any part.

IMPACT STATEMENT

Nurses and other primary health workers are health gatekeepers of residents and play a vital role in the healthcare system. Due to the breakout of COVID-19, they have taken more work and are more vulnerable to work overload, work-family conflict and the consequent job burnout. Some interventions should be taken to effectively alleviate their job burnout and improve their health and performance.

Primary care physicians' work conditions and their confidence in managing multimorbidity: a quantitative analysis using Job Demands-Resources Model

BACKGROUND

Multimorbidity is a global issue that presents complex challenges for physicians, patients, and health systems. However, there is a lack of research on the factors that influence physicians' confidence in managing multimorbidity within primary care settings, particularly regarding physicians' work conditions.

OBJECTIVES

Drawing on the Job Demands-Resources Model, this study aims to investigate the level of confidence among Chinese primary care physicians in managing multimorbidity and examine the predictors related to their confidence.

METHODS

Data were collected from 224 physicians working in 38 Community Healthcare Centres (CHCs) in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Jinan, China. Work-family conflict (WFC) perceived organizational support (POS), self-directed learning (SDL), and burnout were measured. Physicians' confidence was assessed using a single item. Mediation effect analysis was conducted using the Baron and Kenny method.

RESULTS

The results showed that the mean confidence score for physicians managing multimorbidity was 3.63 out of 5, only 20.10% rating their confidence level as 5. WFC negatively related physicians' confidence and POS positively related physicians' confidence in multimorbid diagnosis and treatment. Burnout fully mediated the relationship between WFC and physicians' confidence, and SDL partially mediated the relationship between POS and physicians' confidence.

CONCLUSIONS

The confidence level of Chinese primary care physicians in managing multimorbidity needs improvement. To enhance physicians' confidence in managing multimorbid patients, CHCs in China should address WFC and burnout and promote POS and SDL.