Career choices and career mobility of chinese pharmacy graduates: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background This study investigates the career mobility and employment status of Chinese pharmacy graduates, aiming to address workforce challenges and career planning within the pharmacy profession. Given the rapid expansion of the healthcare sector in China, understanding factors influenci...

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Main Authors: Hongyu Gong, Yan Li, Wenyue Duan, Ying Chen, Jianyu Zhou, Shuming Cao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06448-1
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author Hongyu Gong
Yan Li
Wenyue Duan
Ying Chen
Jianyu Zhou
Shuming Cao
author_facet Hongyu Gong
Yan Li
Wenyue Duan
Ying Chen
Jianyu Zhou
Shuming Cao
author_sort Hongyu Gong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This study investigates the career mobility and employment status of Chinese pharmacy graduates, aiming to address workforce challenges and career planning within the pharmacy profession. Given the rapid expansion of the healthcare sector in China, understanding factors influencing job changes and career decisions is crucial for ensuring workforce stability and professional development. The study covers pharmacy graduates enrolled at Kunming Medical University from 1996 to 2012. Methods A cross-sectional online survey collected data from 231 respondents in April 2022, focusing on demographic characteristics, career choices, job changes, and the factors influencing these decisions. Multivariate logistic regression and Chi-square (χ²) tests were used to analyze the data, with a particular focus on the pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical sciences, and clinical pharmacy. Results Of the 231 respondents, 52.4% (n = 121) had never changed jobs, and 32.5% (n = 75) had changed jobs once or twice. The majority preferred working in governmental institutions (n = 146, 63.2%), with fewer graduates choosing domestic (n = 48, 20.8%) or overseas pharmacy enterprises (n = 20, 8.7%). Income and personal growth were significant factors influencing job changes (p < 0.05). Respondents who had changed jobs three or more times placed a greater emphasis on personal growth (Relative Risk Ratio [RRR]: 2.96; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: [1.6, 5.49]). Conclusions This study reveals significant variations in job mobility and career choices among Chinese pharmacy graduates. Graduates in governmental institutions showed lower mobility, while those in pharmacy enterprises and non-pharmaceutical sectors experienced higher job changes. Income, personal growth, and work environment were key factors.
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spelling doaj-art-7c7088129e7e412aa4468c5a20aee1dc2024-12-22T12:33:14ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202024-12-012411910.1186/s12909-024-06448-1Career choices and career mobility of chinese pharmacy graduates: a cross-sectional studyHongyu Gong0Yan Li1Wenyue Duan2Ying Chen3Jianyu Zhou4Shuming Cao5Technology Achievement Transformation Center , Kunming Medical UniversityThe Third Primary School in Chenggong DistrictSchool of Pharmaceutical Science & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical UniversityFaculty of Humanities and Management, Kunming Medical UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical Science & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical Science & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical UniversityAbstract Background This study investigates the career mobility and employment status of Chinese pharmacy graduates, aiming to address workforce challenges and career planning within the pharmacy profession. Given the rapid expansion of the healthcare sector in China, understanding factors influencing job changes and career decisions is crucial for ensuring workforce stability and professional development. The study covers pharmacy graduates enrolled at Kunming Medical University from 1996 to 2012. Methods A cross-sectional online survey collected data from 231 respondents in April 2022, focusing on demographic characteristics, career choices, job changes, and the factors influencing these decisions. Multivariate logistic regression and Chi-square (χ²) tests were used to analyze the data, with a particular focus on the pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical sciences, and clinical pharmacy. Results Of the 231 respondents, 52.4% (n = 121) had never changed jobs, and 32.5% (n = 75) had changed jobs once or twice. The majority preferred working in governmental institutions (n = 146, 63.2%), with fewer graduates choosing domestic (n = 48, 20.8%) or overseas pharmacy enterprises (n = 20, 8.7%). Income and personal growth were significant factors influencing job changes (p < 0.05). Respondents who had changed jobs three or more times placed a greater emphasis on personal growth (Relative Risk Ratio [RRR]: 2.96; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: [1.6, 5.49]). Conclusions This study reveals significant variations in job mobility and career choices among Chinese pharmacy graduates. Graduates in governmental institutions showed lower mobility, while those in pharmacy enterprises and non-pharmaceutical sectors experienced higher job changes. Income, personal growth, and work environment were key factors.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06448-1PharmacyCareer ChoiceCareer mobilityJob changes; China
spellingShingle Hongyu Gong
Yan Li
Wenyue Duan
Ying Chen
Jianyu Zhou
Shuming Cao
Career choices and career mobility of chinese pharmacy graduates: a cross-sectional study
BMC Medical Education
Pharmacy
Career Choice
Career mobility
Job changes; China
title Career choices and career mobility of chinese pharmacy graduates: a cross-sectional study
title_full Career choices and career mobility of chinese pharmacy graduates: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Career choices and career mobility of chinese pharmacy graduates: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Career choices and career mobility of chinese pharmacy graduates: a cross-sectional study
title_short Career choices and career mobility of chinese pharmacy graduates: a cross-sectional study
title_sort career choices and career mobility of chinese pharmacy graduates a cross sectional study
topic Pharmacy
Career Choice
Career mobility
Job changes; China
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06448-1
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AT yingchen careerchoicesandcareermobilityofchinesepharmacygraduatesacrosssectionalstudy
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