The prevalence of common mental disorders among hospital physicians and their association with self-reported work ability: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundWe studied the prevalence of common mental disorders among Dutch hospital physicians and investigated whether the presence of a mental disorder was associated with insufficient self-reported work ability.MethodsA questionnaire was sent to all (n = 958) hospital physicians of one academic medical center, using validated scales to assess burnout, work-related fatigue, stress, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Furthermore, respondents were asked to rate their current work ability against the work ability in their own best period (adapted version of the first WAI item). The prevalence of each common mental disorder was calculated. In addition, odds ratios of reporting insufficient work ability for subjects with high complaint scores compared to physicians with low complaint scores were calculated for each mental disorder.ResultsThe response rate was 51%, and 423 questionnaires were eligible for analysis. The mental disorder prevalence rates were as follows: work-related fatigue 42%, depression 29%, anxiety 24%, posttraumatic stress complaints 15%, stress complaints 15% and burnout 6%. The mean score for self-reported work ability was 8.1 (range 0–10), and 4% of respondents rated their own work ability as insufficient. Physicians with high mental health complaints were 3.5- for fatigue, 5.6- for PTSD, 7.1- for anxiety, 9.5- for burnout, 10.8- for depression and 13.6-fold for stress more likely to report their work ability as insufficient.ConclusionsThe prevalence of common mental disorders among hospital physicians varied from 6% for burnout to 42% for work-related fatigue. Those physicians with high complaints had significantly 4- to 14 times increased odds of reporting their own work ability as insufficient. This work suggests that to ensure future workers health and patients safety occupational health services should plan appropriate intervention strategies.

How does burnout affect physician productivity? A systematic literature review

“…Ruitenberg and colleagues [21] defined work ability as the “degree to which a worker is physically and mentally able to cope with the demands at work” (p. 2).…”

Differential Effects of Mental and Physical Health and Coping Style on Work Ability

“…On the basis of the relation between work ability and health as well as past findings in this area, this study assumed that good general (ie, mental as well as physical) health would predict high work ability. 12 Nevertheless, because the magnitude of the relations between various types of diseases and work ability differs, 13,14 it is plausible that the effects of mental and physical health on work ability are not similar. On the basis of the study by Ilmarinen et al, 15 we expected that work ability would depend on both health problems and work demands.…”

Life Quality: The Night Shift Work Challenge To Nursing Team / Qualidade de Vida: O Desafio do Trabalho Noturno Para a Equipe de Enfermagem

“…15 This is because it acts in the main domains of life and contributes to health and well-being with physical, psychological and social benefits. [15][16][17] Research carried out in health units in Coimbra-Portugal⁶ and Minas Gerais 10 pointed out that married or those who have partners have better LQ, as well as the results of this study, in which workers with a partner have higher scores when compared to those without partners in the field of social relationship. Because having a partner suggests greater comfort and emotional support, since responsibility for home, children, spouse, among others, contributes to better deal with problems that may occur.…”