Objective  To examine working duty and load and changes in salary among primary health care workers (HCWs) during the epidemic period for improving professional capability construction of medical staff in China.

  Methods  Using multistage cluster sampling, we recruited 3030 HCWs from 191 community/township health care centers in 6 provincial level regions (Zhejiang, Hubei, Henan, Yunnan, and Sichuan province and Tianjin municipality) across China. A survey with a self-designed questionnaire among the primary HCWs were conducted during January, 2021.

  Results  Valid information were collected from 98.05% (2 971) of the workers. Reported by the respondents, the main involvements during the epidemic period included the dissemination of epidemic prevention and control knowledge, population screening, epidemiological investigation, and home isolation observation. Of the 811 clinicians surveyed, 37.99% (310) reported part-time participation in basic public health services, with the health management for the elderly or major chronic disease patients being the highest reported service item. Decrease in overall income during the epidemic period was reported by 50.82%(1 510) of the respondents; more respondents being clinicians of traditional Chinese medicine reported the decrease and the proportion of reporting the decrease was higher among the respondents in eastern regions.

  Conclusion  During epidemic control in China, primary health care workers undertook tasks according their responsibilities and played an important role as health gatekeepers. Talent incentive policies and integration of treatment and prevention should be implemented to promote professional capability of the health care workers.