Physicians' Total Burden of Occupational Stressors: More than Threefold Increased Odds of Burnout.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relation between total job stressor burden and physician burnout, identifying potentially contributory modifiable stressors, using a comprehensive, theory-based instrument created for physicians by physicians. METHODS: From 2018 to 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional study in a public teaching hospital in India. Of 305 clinically active physicians, 293 were reached and 42.7% participated. Job stressors were assessed via the physician-specific Occupational Stressor Index (OSI) and burnout by the Copenhagen Burnout Index (CBI). RESULTS: The 76 fully participating physicians were 68% male, 84% residents, and 70% age 30 or younger, from various specialties. Mean scores for total OSI: 87 ± 7.8; personal burnout: 46.6 ± 18.2; work-related burnout: 41.4 ± 20.7; and patient-related burnout: 31.7 ± 22.4. Total OSI scores were significantly associated with personal and work-related burnout, adjusting for working-years as physicians and sex. Total OSI scores >88 showed adjusted odds ratios (±95% confidence intervals): 3.99 (1.31, 12.1) and 6.50 (1.85, 22.8) for personal and work-related burnout, respectively. The high demands aspect of the OSI showed significant multivariate relations to personal, work-related, and patient-related burnout. Patient-related burnout was significantly more likely among male physicians in these multivariate analyses. Physicians outside preventive/diagnostic areas, with heavier burdens and more emergency cases were less likely to fully participate. CONCLUSIONS: The total burden of job stressors is powerfully associated with personal and work-related burnout. The clinically defined total OSI cutpoint >88 warranting urgent intervention is corroborated by >3-fold odds of personal and work-related burnout. Lowering total OSI scores is an immediate priority, starting with potentially modifiable stressors that are already maximum/near-maximum (inadequate rest breaks, nightshifts, work hours, insufficient work-free vacation time, and infection hazards). These issues affect patient care.

Measuring psychological and physiological stress in emergency clinicians.

BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding stress, team structure and decision-making has been used to inform efficacious team composition and deployment. There have been limited attempts to establish the relationship between psychological stress with physiological data within professional environments. The current study explored measures of psychological and physiological stress in Australian emergency practitioners. METHODS: Thirty-seven staff in an Australian emergency department completed an online survey assessing freedom to make decisions, social support, and psychological job demands. Seven participants provided saliva samples three times daily for seven days (valid n=141 samples). Cortisol levels of the samples were analysed using competitive enzyme immunoassay kits, and α-amylase using kinetic enzyme assay kits. RESULTS: Years of emergency experience was positively associated with freedom to make decisions, and social support was negatively correlated with psychological demand. No consistent pattern was observed between cortisol level and reported psychological demand, decision freedom or social support. Physical activity was not reflected in elevated α-amylase. Diurnal variation of cortisol and α-amylase was not affected by shiftwork. CONCLUSIONS: The data supports the case for using multiple assessments to measure stress. While the psychological data is consistent with previous findings, there are possible disparities between psychological reports and physical indicators of stress.

Mental Health Status of Healthcare Workers in China for COVID-19 Epidemic.

Background: COVID-19 first appeared in China in December 2019, with a high rate of infectivity and morbidity, which brought tremendous psychological pressure to healthcare workers. Purpose: To understand the psychological health status of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak and decline, and to provide a theoretical reference for the future establishment of a psychological crisis intervention system. Methods: Healthcare workers were recruited using convenience sampling and snowball sampling methods, and the electronic version of the SCL-90 scale and a sociodemographic questionnaire were administered. In the pretest, a total of 5018 responses were collected; after six weeks, random sampling was performed. The SCL-90 and measures of other epidemic-related problems were administered, with 1570 responses received; then, the final data analysis was performed. Results: After six weeks, the post-test GSI score; SCL-90 total score; and PST, PSDI, O-C, I-S, DEP, ANX, PHOB, PAR, PSY, and HOS scores were significantly lower than the corresponding pretest scores (p < 0.05). The results by occupational category showed that the scores of nursing staff decreased significantly for 12 indexes and that the scores of the doctors and other hospital staff also significantly decreased. There was a significant difference between the pretest (50.78 ± 28.18) and post-test (45.00 ± 28.49) scores for the degree of worry about the epidemic. Healthcare workers believed that the top three aspects of life affected by the epidemic were economic problems (816 people), interpersonal communication problems (731 people), and mental health (728 people). Conclusion: Over the course of the epidemic, the item scores generally declined significantly. Therefore, during an outbreak period, attention should be paid to psychological crisis interventions for healthcare workers; problems caused by psychological pressure, and even other psychological conditions, can be significantly alleviated to reduce the probability of subsequent health problems.

Transcultural adaptation of the Student Nurse Stress Index to Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: to cross-culturally adapt the Student Nurse Stress Index to the Brazilian context. METHOD: this is a methodological study of translation and cross-cultural adaptation. We used a sample of specialists (n = 3) and nursing students (n = 40). Socioeconomic and academic questionnaires were used for data collection, assessment and the translated instrument (SNSI-Brazil). RESULTS: most students were female (90.0%), single (87.5%), unemployed (80.0%), they studied on average 11 hours per week, slept 6 hours per day; and rated the face and the content of the instrument as very good, agreeing substantially (kappa = 0.74 and p-value < 0.01). The judges showed regular agreement in their assessments, and the SNSI-Brazil showed a good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80). CONCLUSION: The SNSI-Brazil was validated for face and content, has a good internal consistency if compared to versions used in other countries.

A longitudinal assessment of occupational stress in Emergency Department Nursing Staff.

AIMS: To examine perceptions of occupational stress in Emergency Department (ED) nurses and measure the impact of interventions to address them. BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional studies internationally have established that Emergency Department (ED) nursing staff experience high levels of occupational stress. Few however have examined changes in perceptions of stress over time or the impact of interventions to address them. EVALUATION: A structured questionnaire completed by volunteer nursing staff in one United Kingdom ED assessing perceptions of occupational stress and job satisfaction. Questionnaire rounds were administered in 2014 (T1), 2015 (T2) and 2017 (T3) at 18-month intervals. Statistical analyses were conducted using multivariate regression, t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. KEY ISSUE: Statistically significant improvements in effort-reward balance, relational justice and job satisfaction were seen between T2 and T3 for nurses completing questionnaires at all three time points, but not for other stressors. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that organisational interventions, supported by robust research data and consistent departmental leadership can positively influence perceptions of organisational stress in ED nurses. Our approach is generic, internationally applicable and can be adopted in all EDs. IMPLICATIONS OF NURSING MANAGEMENT: These occupational stressors are common to all EDs. Nurse managers should know their distribution amongst their staff. Such data can inform interventions to achieve maximal benefits for staff wellbeing and may be of value when targeting resources in times of financial pressure.

Key occupational stressors in the ED: an international comparison.

BACKGROUND: The ED Stressor Scale outlines 15 stressors that are of importance for ED staff. Limited research has identified how commonly such stressors occur, or whether such factors are perceived with similar importance across different hospitals. This study sought to examine the frequency or perceived severity of these 15 stressors using a multicentre cohort of emergency clinicians (nurses and physicians) in EDs in two countries (Australia and Sweden). METHOD: This was a cross-sectional survey of staff working in eight hospitals in Australia and Sweden. Data were collected between July 2016 and June 2017 (depending on local site approvals) via a printed survey incorporating the 15-item ED stressor scale. The median stress score for each item and the frequency of experiencing each event was reported. RESULTS: Events causing most distress include heavy workload, death or sexual abuse of a child, inability to provide optimum care and workplace violence. Stressors reported most frequently include dealing with high acuity patients, heavy workload and crowding. Violence, workload, inability to provide optimal care, poor professional relations, poor professional development and dealing with high-acuity patients were reported more commonly by Australian staff. Swedish respondents reported more frequent exposure to mass casualty incidents, crisis management and administrative concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Workload, inability to provide optimal care, workplace violence and death or sexual abuse of a child were consistently reported as the most distressing events across sites. The frequency with which these occurred differed in Australia and Sweden, likely due to differences in the healthcare systems.

Job stress and post-retirement health in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Job demand-control (DC) and effort-reward imbalance (ERI) are two commonly used measures of work stress which are independently associated with health. AIMS: To test the hypothesis that DC and ERI have different and cumulative effects on health. METHODS: DC and ERI were assessed in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study. The characteristics and occupations of men and women reporting either or both work stresses were compared and the interaction of these with health status were explored. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 1021 men and 753 women, reporting on their most recent or current job. A total of 647 (63%) men and 444 (59%) women reported neither work stress, while 103 (10%) men and 78 (10%) women reported both. Patterns of ERI and DC, alone and in combination, were different by type of occupation and by gender. Men reporting both work stresses (as compared with neither) were more likely to be single. Reported ERI with DC in the most recent or current job was associated with: poorer SF-36 physical function scores (OR 2.3 [95% CI 1.5-3.7] for men; OR 2.0 [95% CI 1.2-3.6] for women) and mental health scores (OR 2.8 [95% CI 1.8-4.4] for men; OR 3.1 [95% CI 1.8-5.3] for women). Moreover, average grip strength was 1.7 kg (95% CI 0.2-3.3) lower among men who described both work stresses. CONCLUSION: DC and ERI are two models of the psychosocial workplace environment which offer different but cumulative insight into the impacts of work on an individual's psychological and physical health, particularly in a population sample.

Working conditions and stress in the English education system.

Background: The UK education sector has among the highest level of stress sickness absence of all occupations. However, investigations of psychosocial working conditions which contribute to stress, including behaviour of students and parents, has not been conducted. Aims: To investigate the psychosocial working conditions and prevalence of negative parental and student behaviour in a large sample of school teachers and college lecturers based in England. In addition, to assess the influence of working conditions, student behaviour and parental behaviour on perceived stress. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of teachers in England. Respondents completed the Management Standards Indicator Tool (MSIT), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4), Student Behaviour Scale and a two-item measure of parental behaviour. Differences in these measures across different teaching roles were assessed using analysis of variance. Regression analyses were used to evaluate the association of MSIT, student and parental behaviour on PSS outcomes. Results: Compared to UK benchmark scoring, psychosocial working conditions were at a poor level, with primary teachers in particular exposed to negative parental behaviours, and secondary teachers to poor student behaviour. Demands were consistently associated with perceived stress outcomes across job roles, although management support and relationships with peers also played a part. Conclusions: Demands faced by teachers in England played an important part in the experience of stress. Interventions to reduce these demands, and the high frequencies of negative pupil and parental behaviours, should be considered.

A new contribution to the classification of stressors affecting nursing professionals.

OBJECTIVE:: to identify and classify the most important occupational stressors affecting nursing professionals in the medical units within a hospital. METHOD:: quantitative-qualitative, descriptive and prospective study performed with Delphi technique in the medical units of a general university hospital, with a sample of 30 nursing professionals. RESULTS:: the stressors were work overload, frequent interruptions in the accomplishment of their tasks, night working, simultaneity of performing different tasks, not having enough time to give emotional support to the patient or lack of time for some patients who need it, among others. CONCLUSION:: the most consensual stressors were ranked as work overload, frequent interruptions in the accomplishment of their tasks, night working and, finally, simultaneity of performing different tasks. These results can be used as a tool in the clinical management of hospital units, aiming to improve the quality of life of nursing professionals, organizational models and, in addition, continuous improvement in clinical treatment.

A new contribution to the classification of stressors affecting nursing professionals / Uma nova contribuição para a classificação dos fatores estressores que afetam os profissionais de enfermagem / Una nueva aportación de clasificar factores estresantes que afectan a los profesionales de enfermería

Objective: to identify and classify the most important occupational stressors affecting nursing professionals in the medical units within a hospital. Method: quantitative-qualitative, descriptive and prospective study performed with Delphi technique in the medical units of a general university hospital, with a sample of 30 nursing professionals. Results: the stressors were work overload, frequent interruptions in the accomplishment of their tasks, night working, simultaneity of performing different tasks, not having enough time to give emotional support to the patient or lack of time for some patients who need it, among others. Conclusion: the most consensual stressors were ranked as work overload, frequent interruptions in the accomplishment of their tasks, night working and, finally, simultaneity of performing different tasks. These results can be used as a tool in the clinical management of hospital units, aiming to improve the quality of life of nursing professionals, organizational models and, in addition, continuous improvement in clinical treatment.

Objetivo: identificar e classificar os principais fatores ocupacionais mais estressantes que afetam os profissionais de enfermagem nas unidades médicas do hospital. Método: estudo quanti-qualitativo, descritivo e prospectivo realizado com a técnica Delphi em unidades médicas de um hospital geral universitário, com uma amostra de 30 profissionais de enfermagem. Resultados: os fatores estressores foram a sobrecarga de trabalho, interrupções frequentes durante a execução de suas tarefas, trabalhar em horário noturno, a simultaneidade em executar tarefas diferentes, não ter tempo suficiente para dar apoio emocional ao paciente ou a falta de tempo para alguns pacientes que necessitem, entre outros. Conclusão: os fatores estressores de maior consenso foram classificados, sendo que os primeiros foram a sobrecarga de trabalho, as interrupções frequentes durante a execução de suas tarefas, trabalhar em horário noturno e, finalmente, a simultaneidade em executar tarefas diferentes. Esses resultados podem ser utilizados como ferramenta no gerenciamento clínico das unidades hospitalares, visando melhorar a qualidade de vida dos profissionais de enfermagem, os modelos organizacionais e também a melhora contínua no tratamento clínico.

Objetivo: identificar y clasificar los principales factores laborales más estresantes que afectan a los profesionales de enfermería en las unidades médicas del hospital. Método: estudio cuanti-cualitativo, descriptivo, prospectivo realizado con técnica Delphi en las unidades médicas de un hospital general universitario, con una muestra de 30 profesionales de enfermería. Resultados: los factores estresantes fueron la sobrecarga laboral, interrupciones frecuentes en la realización de sus tareas, trabajar en horario nocturno, la simultaneidad de ejecutar tareas distintas, no tener tiempo suficiente para dar apoyo emocional al paciente o falta de tiempo para algunos pacientes que lo necesiten, entre otros. Conclusión: se clasificaron los factores estresantes de mayor consenso siendo primero la sobrecarga laboral, interrupciones frecuentes en la realización de sus tareas, trabajar en horario nocturno y, finalmente, la simultaneidad de ejecutar tareas distintas. Estos resultados pueden utilizarse como una herramienta en el manejo clínico de las unidades hospitalarias, con el fin de mejorar la calidad de vida del profesional de enfermería, los modelos organizativos y, además, la mejora continua en el tratamiento clínico.