Stress among doctors: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital, North India

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of the study were as follows: 1. To study the prevalence of stress among doctors. 2. To find the association of stress and its risk factors. Materials and Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in the tertiary hospital of Punjab. Pre-validated questionnaire was used to assess the demographic variables and stress factors. Perceived Stress Scale-10 was used to assess the stress levels among the doctors. Results: Of the 203 participants, females (54.7%) outnumbered the males. Mean scores for the stress scale was 18.40±5.4. Majority of the participants (79.8%) were having moderate stress levels. Statistically significant higher stress levels were found in female doctors (P-value = 0.009) and in the age category of 31-40 years (P-value= 0.04). Emergency duties, intra-departmental working environment, being away from family, not able to have proper personal and family time, lack of sleep were the main risk factors to cause increased stress among doctors. Listening to the music was found to be the main stress buster. Conclusion: Proper rest and involvement into stress relieving activities like meditation and yoga, conducive working environment are the need of the hour for the burnt-out healthcare providers.

A Study to Assess the Occupational Burnout and Level of Stress among Frontline Health Professionals during COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected Hospital of New Delhi

“…The findings of the present study were consistent with another study conducted by Sidhu et al 12 conducted in a tertiary hospital in Punjab, whose findings revealed that majority of the participants (79.8%) had moderate stress levels, which in the current study was 55.5% of the samples. Wu et al 13 investigated to understand the job stress among young pharmacists working in the hospital during the COVID-19 period.…”

A cross sectional study on stress and its determinants among doctors in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu

“…Statistically significant stress levels was found in female doctors (P=0.003) which was similar to the study conducted by Sidhu et al where a significant association between perceived stress level and female doctors were seen (P=0.009). 5 As a result of higher workload both at home and at work, female doctors are more stressed than male doctors. A significant association was also found between the chronic illness of the study participants and the stress level (p= 0.024).…”

“…4 Although the physical illness of doctors is at lower rates when compared to the general population, doctors have higher rates of suicide, psychiatric illness and possibly alcohol and drug misuse than the general population. 5 At an individual level, burnout among doctors has been associated with lower career satisfaction, higher absenteeism, greater probability of leaving the profession prematurely or choosing early retirement, and greater risk of experiencing difficulties in interpersonal relationships such as with family and partners. 5 In India only very few studies have evaluated psychological issues, stress and burnout among medical professionals.…”

“…5 At an individual level, burnout among doctors has been associated with lower career satisfaction, higher absenteeism, greater probability of leaving the profession prematurely or choosing early retirement, and greater risk of experiencing difficulties in interpersonal relationships such as with family and partners. 5 In India only very few studies have evaluated psychological issues, stress and burnout among medical professionals. These studies have been mostly limited among medical students than doctors, nurses and other health care professionals.…”