[Quantitative measurement and ranking of jobrelated stressors: a preliminary survey in anesthesiology residents]

ABSTRACT

Stress is undoubtedly one of the best known factors that threaten the health of an anesthesiologist. There are few quantitative measures about the job-related stress in anesthesiology. This study attempts to determine these job-related stressors, measure them quantitatively and rank them. In this cross-sectional study after reviewing the literature and extraction of stressors to which anesthesiologists and residents are exposed, a primary list of occupational problems [30 questions] was compiled. In phase I, 39 registered residents [group A] answered the questionnaire before beginning their program. Then the questionnaire was revised slightly based on phase I experiences and a final version of the questionnaire [34questions], was completed by 85 first- to third- year residents in phase 11. To assess the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach a was calculated for groups A and B as 0.929 and 0.927 respectively. ANOVA was highly significant [P<0.0001]. After data collection, answers were ranked zero to four and mean score for each resident was calculated. Then we averaged these mean scores and named it "Anesthesiology problem score [APS]". Besides, all residents completed SCL-90R screening test questionnaire and we extracted its nine subscales. In group A, "financial problems" and "vague career future" and in group B, "vague career future" and "inadequate training of residents" were ranked as the most important problems. In both groups, "fear of addiction" was the least important problem. To measure the relationship between APS and nine Scl-90K subscales, parametric correlation test was performed. This relationship appeared significant for all subscales [P<0.02] .Besides, T-test for independent groups showed significant difference in APS between two sex groups [1.2 1 for men and 1.5 1 for women, P=0.04]. One- way ANOVA showed significant difference in APS among educational years [P=0.04]. We conclude that "anxiety about career future" is the most important occupational stressor among young anesthesiologists. Statistical tests show the relationship between occupational stress and the following I. SCL-90R Scores, 2- The extent of work experience. In addition these tests demonstrate that stressors are different in quality and quantity among men and women