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What is the work environment of orthopaedic surgeons in China?
Zhen-Sheng Ma1, Lin Wang, Guo-Sheng Du
1Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127th Changle West Road, Shaanxi, 710032, Xi'an, China, mazhensheng@yahoo.com.
Insights
Chinese orthopaedic surgeons face extreme workloads and personal risks, leading to widespread job dissatisfaction. Urgent reforms are needed to address these pressures and improve working conditions for these medical professionals.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Medical Practice in China
- Healthcare Professional Well-being
Background:
- Physicians in China experience intense patient and government demands.
- Healthcare providers face threats of legal and physical conflict, with over 40 deaths since 2001.
- The study addresses the challenging environment for medical professionals in China.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate orthopaedic practice demographics in China.
- Assess duty hours and practice support for orthopaedic surgeons.
- Determine job satisfaction levels among Chinese orthopaedic surgeons.
Main Methods:
- Online questionnaires distributed via www.OrthoChina.org (2006-2007).
- Surveys administered to attendees at orthopaedic meetings (2013).
- Data collected from 334 online participants and 456 meeting participants.
Main Results:
- 91% of surgeons work in public hospitals; 94% work over 8 hours daily, 6-7 days/week.
- 25% work over 12 hours daily without extra pay; most work holidays without compensation.
- 80% experienced harm (physical/psychological); 73% wouldn't choose medicine again, 86% oppose children entering the profession.
Conclusions:
- Rapid economic growth in China has intensified pressure on orthopaedic surgeons.
- Surgeons are overworked, disrespected, and face personal harm, leading to demoralization.
- Significant reforms are essential to improve the situation for Chinese orthopaedic surgeons.
Background:
Physicians in China face heavy demands from patients and the government for services but deal with the threat of unpredictable legal and physical conflicts with patients, some ending with the death of doctors. More than 40 doctors and nurses have been killed by patients since 2001.
Questions/Purposes:
We sought to evaluate (1) the demographics of orthopaedic practice, (2) duty periods, (3) practice support, and (4) job satisfaction among orthopaedic surgeons in China.
Methods:
Questionnaires were posted online at www.OrthoChina.org for download by orthopaedic surgeons in 2006 to 2007, and sent to those attending meetings in 2013. In 2013, a total of 1350 surgeons were invited and 456 participated in the survey at meetings. In 2007, during the period of the survey, 9759 individuals were qualified orthopaedic surgeons, and 334 participated in the survey at www.OrthoChina.org .
Results:
Ninety-one percent of orthopaedic surgeons work in public and 9% in private hospitals. Ninety-four percent work more than 8 hours per day 6 to 7 days a week. Twenty-five percent work more than 12 hours per day 6 to 7 days a week without extra compensation. The majority of orthopaedic surgeons must work on national statutory holidays. Almost none received contractually mandated income for weekends and national holidays. Approximately 80% of participants reported an attack of some kind, including physical or psychologic harm. With respect to job satisfaction, 73% stated they would not choose to be a physician again and 86% reported that they do not want their children to become a physician.
Conclusions:
China's rapid economic growth and resulting demands for modern health care have resulted in heavy pressure on orthopaedic surgeons, financially and personally. Chinese orthopaedic surgeons are overworked, suffer lack of respect, and face the possibility of serious personal harm. As a consequence, they are demoralized and unsatisfied. Significant reforms are needed.
