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. 2018 Aug 8:30:51.
doi: 10.1186/s40557-018-0262-8. eCollection 2018.

Occupational stress among medical residents in educational hospitals

Sedigheh Ebrahimi  1 , Zahra Kargar  1
Affiliations

Occupational stress among medical residents in educational hospitals

Sedigheh Ebrahimi et al. Ann Occup Environ Med. .

Abstract

Background: Occupational stress and its related psychological strain is a concern among resident doctors that may affect patient care adversely. Residents face many stresses because of their high job demands in delivery of hospital care. They are often subject to work load and pressure due to direct involvement with patients, prolonged working hours, poor job opportunities and low support. Their multiple educational and clinical roles can also affect their performance and quality of personal or professional life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occupational stress among residents of various medical specialties.We aimed to explore the reasons of occupational stress in residents' life and determine how we can enhance the stress-coping strategies and create more suitable conditions.

Methods: This cross-sectional analytical-descriptive study was conducted on all medical residents with various specialties in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Data was collected using Osipow occupational stress questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software version 17.

Results: The response rate was 88.8%. The average stress score of all residents was 156.35 out of 250. The highest and lowest average stress scores belonged to gynecology and dermatology specialties, respectively. The highest average score of the stress factors was related to the workload with the score of 35.09 of 50 (moderate to severe stress). The total stress score had a significant relationship with age (P = 0.030) and sex (P = 0.009) as well as lack of time to get the needed healthy meals (P = 0.047), high work hours (P < 0.01), surgical specialties (P < 0.01) and on call shift (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Since most of the stressors were related to the workload, interventions such workload reduction, education about occupational stress and its management, promoting interpersonal relations and more supportive measures are recommended.

Keywords: Occupation; Resident; Stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

The protocol of the study was approved by medical ethics committee of Vice-Chancellor for Research of the Faculty of Medicine at Shiraz University of medical sciences, Shiraz, Iran(numbered as 5194). Participation in this research was on a voluntary basis and the questionnaire, if consented, was given to be completed. Before data collection, the anonymity, the protection of identity and secrecy of information about the participant. Were explained to the participants. Not applicable. The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The average score of stress of residents in various specialties
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