Prevalence of occupational exposure and its influence on job satisfaction among Chinese healthcare workers: a large-sample, cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: This study had three objectives: (1) describe the prevalence of occupational exposure among Chinese medical personnel in detail, (2) verify the partial mediating role of work environment satisfaction in the relationship between occupational exposure and job satisfaction, and (3) examine if stress symptoms moderate the relationship between occupational exposure and job satisfaction. DESIGN: A large cross-sectional online survey was conducted in July 2018 in China. SETTING: A survey was conducted in 54 cities across 14 provinces of China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 12 784 questionnaires were distributed, and 9924 healthcare workers (HCWs) completed valid questionnaires. The response rate was 77.63%. OUTCOME MEASURES: A confidential questionnaire was distributed to HCWs. The relationships among and the mechanisms of the variables were explored using descriptive statistical analyses, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The most common occupational exposures among HCWs in the past 12 months were psychosocial and organisational hazards (85.93%). Overall, physicians (93.7%) and nurses (89.2%) were the main victims of occupational exposure. Occupational exposure correlated negatively with work environment satisfaction and job satisfaction, and positively with stress symptoms. Moreover, work environment satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between occupational exposure and job satisfaction, and stress symptoms moderated the relationship between occupational exposure and job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The incidence of occupational exposure among HCWs is generally high. The high frequency of psychosocial and organisational hazards among physicians and nurses should be taken seriously and dealt with in a timely manner by hospital managers. The negative impact of occupational exposure on job satisfaction must be buffered by measures to reduce stress symptoms and enhance working environment satisfaction, ultimately improving the overall quality of life of HCWs and promoting comprehensive development of the medical team.