Changes in psychosocial work environment and depressive symptoms: A prospective study in junior physicians

Abstract

Negative changes in the psychosocial work environment, specifically increased ERI, are associated with depressive symptoms in German junior physicians. Reducing the non-reciprocity of working life, particularly improving reward at work, may have beneficial effects on prevention of mental health problems in the hospital workplace.

Work stress, burnout, and perceived quality of care: a cross-sectional study among hospital pediatricians

“…We observed that increased work stress was linked to higher levels of burnout, particularly to emotional exhaustion [10]. While prospective evidence on the impact of work stress on burnout in pediatricians is not available to date, similar studies in other medical specialties corroborate the impact of effort-reward imbalance and elevated risks of mental disorders and poor functioning at work [11]. Thus, promoting wellbeing of pediatricians includes reduction of the burden of psychosocial stress at work.…”

“…We suggest system-based, i.e., organizational and work-design interventions that address the reciprocity of effort and reward in the workplace. This is of particular interest within the clinical context, where high job demands and detrimental working conditions lead to increasing resignation in physicians and jeopardize patient safety [8,24,11,12]. This could be achieved through reducing effort and work demands, while simultaneously improving reward in the hospital workplace.…”

“…This could be achieved through reducing effort and work demands, while simultaneously improving reward in the hospital workplace. In regard to physicians' working life, work overload, and exceeding job demands could be limited, i.e., excessive overtime work, exceeding patient load, and poorly designed shift schedules [11,24]. Regarding rewards, respective measures should focus on improved career prospects based on junior physicians' training and professional achievements, and ways of providing non-material rewards from supervisors and management, e.g., through recognition, positive feedback, and support.…”

“…Regarding rewards, respective measures should focus on improved career prospects based on junior physicians' training and professional achievements, and ways of providing non-material rewards from supervisors and management, e.g., through recognition, positive feedback, and support. Additionally, strengthening job control and autonomy could contribute to the promotion of physician well-being [11,27].…”

Prevalence and Determinants of Job Stress in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…[26][27][28] A high overcommitment (OC) score and a high ERI score are associated with depression [29][30][31] and anxiety, 32 which both can influence negatively the course of IBD as delineated above.…”