Stress, job satisfaction and work hours in medical and surgical residency programmes in private sector teaching hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To assess stress levels, job satisfaction and working hours of the residents in Medicine and Surgery and to explore a correlation among the three factors.

Methods: The questionnaire-based. Cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 at two tertiary level teaching hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan (Ziauddin University Hospital and Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan). The study population comprised 176 residents, General Health Questionnaire-12 was used to assess the mental health of the residents and a standardised Job Satisfaction Survey tool was used to assess their work satisfaction.

Results: A total of 176 residents participated in the study; 115 (65%) from Medicine, and 61 (35%) from surgery. Of the total residents, 99 (56.3%) were under stress, and there was no significant difference in stress between Medicine and Surgery residents. Besides, 133 (75.6%) residents reported to be satisfied with their jobs. There was a statistically significant difference in job satisfaction between Medicine and Surgery residents (p < 0.001). Mean number of working hours per week reported by Medicine and Surgery residents were 74.82 +/- 15.95 and 92.07 +/- 15.91 respectively (p < 0.001). A positive correlation of mean working hours with both stress (p = 0.009) and job satisfaction (p = 0.029) was found.

Conclusions: Medicine and Surgery residents tend to differ on mean working hours and job satisfaction. The greater mean working hours of the residents could be a possible reason for increased stress and decreased job satisfaction among the residents.