Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Oct 15, 2025
Date Accepted: Jan 29, 2026
What factors influence physicians’ perceived compensation satisfaction? A cross-sectional study in China
ABSTRACT
Background:
Physicians’ perceived compensation satisfaction enhances work enthusiasm, ensures healthcare system stability, and inspires healthcare quality. However, few studies have investigated the combined effect of multiple influencing factors on physician compensation perceptions.
Objective:
This study investigated the factors influencing Chinese physicians’ perceived compensation satisfaction.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey on compensation satisfaction, sociodemographic characteristics, and perceived compensation scheme transparency was administered online during April–May 2024. A total of 325 valid responses (163 male, 162 female) were included. The factors associated with compensation perceptions were determined through qualitative comparative analysis.
Results:
The analysis yielded two models: junior physicians’ perceptions and senior physicians’ perceptions. For junior physicians, compensation scheme transparency contributed to higher compensation satisfaction, regardless of salary or work hours. For senior physicians, two paths contributed to compensation satisfaction: 1. higher salary and compensation scheme transparency; and 2. lower salary and compensation scheme transparency combined with a higher technical rank and fewer work hours..
Conclusions:
The junior and senior physicians’ compensation satisfaction determinants were heterogeneous, underscoring the need to develop targeted compensation packages to increase compensation satisfaction.
Citation
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Copyright
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