Working conditions and common mental disorders in physicians in Brazil

Abstract

Background Common mental disorders (CMD) are a marker of work-related psychiatric morbidity. Previous studies have shown a high prevalence in Brazilian health care settings. AimsTo assess the prevalence of CMD and their associated factors in a group of physicians working at a public health unit in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. MethodsCMD were evaluated using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SQR-20), developed by the World Health Organization and validated for Brazil. The questionnaire consists of 20 questions: four about physical symptoms and 16 about emotional symptoms. Prevalence was calculated as a percentage of physicians with CMD. Poisson univariate and multivariate regression models were applied to assess associated factors. ResultsAnalysis was based on 227 physicians who answered the SRQ-20 (97% response rate). The prevalence of CMD was 24%. Dissatisfaction and commitment to work remained positively associated with CMD. Having more than one job and significant social support from peers and superiors remained negatively associated with CMD.Conclusions Prevalence of CMD is in a similar range to that reported in other countries and in Brazil generally. Aspects related to work were the only ones that were independently associated with CMD. Workrelated aspects and the motivation of physicians are important and need to be taken into account to ensure that physicians remain healthy.

A saúde física e mental do profissional médico: uma revisão sistemática

“…The prevalence of less psychic disorder among those professionals was 26%, afflicting more women; this female predominance for depression disorders has been proposed by other authors (ASSUNÇÃO et al, 2013;BROwN;GOSKe;JOHNSON, 2009;FiLeNi, 2013).…”

Transtornos mentais comuns em trabalhadores da Atenção Básica à Saúde

“…Estudo com médicos da atenção primária de Belo Horizonte (MG) também evidenciou associação positiva entre a insatisfação com o trabalho e TMC 36 . A satisfação no trabalho exerce influência no estado emocional do indivíduo, manifestando-se por sentimentos de alegria e contentamento, relacionando-se a como o indivíduo percebe, valoriza e julga os aspectos do trabalho 37 .…”

“…A literatura registra evidências consistentes de associação entre elevadas demandas psicológicas no trabalho e transtornos mentais comuns entre trabalhadores de saúde 2,24,27,36 , como foi observado neste estudo. Demandas laborais excessivas sem a correspondente possibilidade de recuperação ou relaxamento, que favoreceriam o retorno do corpo à situação de acalmia, mantêm a produção elevada das catecolaminas (adrenalina, noradrenalina e cortisol), produzindo intenso desgaste físico e mental 18 .…”

Social support in the workplace for physicians in specialization training

“…Social support can promote coping [10], diminish occupational stress [11,12] and reduce perceptions of depersonalization [13]. It can prevent psychiatric symptoms and common mental disorders [14,15] and has a protective function against possible suicidal intentions [16,17]. Low social support from co-workers is associated with emotional exhaustion [18,19].…”