[Perceived stress and coping strategies in medical and nursing staff in a department of clinical hematology: pilot study]

Abstract

Introduction: Psychologist's task at the hospital is to take care, from a psychological standpoint, not only of the patient but also of those working at his side, in order to maintain the best possible bio-psycho-social balance and to prevent stress related diseases. The purpose of this study is therefore to assess the stress levels and the coping solutions implemented by doctors and nurses who work closely to severe and difficult diseases such as cancer.

Methods: As evaluation tool has been used the Stress and Coping Scale Health Professions (HPSCS). The group used for the research consists of 10 doctors and 34 nurses who work daily at the Hematology Department of Pescara Hospital.

Results: According to the answers of the questionnaire it has been possible to highlight that for both doctors and nurses, the most stressful event is the difficult relations with patients. As for the solving attempts, doctors tend to use most frequently the request of social support, while among the nurses also emerge the emotional distress and the avoidance of the problem.

Conclusions: The use by the latter of impractical coping strategies, suggests the usefulness of future training programs designed to assist individuals in managing situations that are adverse to the empirical practice.