Job Stressors and Coping in Health Professions

Abstract

In spite of their knowledge about stressors, health hazards and coping, health professionals are in general not aware of their own health risks. In an attempt to clarify the issue results of our own studies are compared to the relevant literature. A survey on 1,248 Swiss nurses confirmed the major stressors known: ethical conflicts about appropriate patient care, team conflicts, role ambiguity, workload and organizational deficits. In doctors workload and shortage of time, combined with specific responsibility in decision making, are most prominent. Nevertheless, job satisfaction is still high in both professions. Health hazards in doctors are considerable, although life expectancy has improved and is comparable to the general public, but still lower as compared to other professionals. Depression and substance abuse are related to higher suicide rates. The specific role strain of female doctors is responsible for health risks with an alarming 10 years lower life expectancy than in the general population. Little is known about specific health hazards in nurses, except for burnout. A lack of coping research in the field makes conclusions difficult. Our own studies show limited coping skills in nurses, but good buffering effect in 1,700 Swiss dentists.

Comparison of the level of aggression towards healthcare workers within Podlaskie Voivodeship

“…The most common form of aggressive behaviors is psychological violence -mobbing, sexual harassment, intimidation. It takes place as long as people are forced to spend time together for a particular period of time, for example in the workplace, or school setting [2,[6][7][8]. Violence in the workplace does not only concern the involved individuals who experience physical injuries and long-lasting stress.…”

Strain and health implications of nurses’ shift work

“…For instance, a study in Iceland found nurses satisfied with their jobs and their assignment to shift work did not seem to disrupt their circadian cycle or induce any differences in their experience of illness [9]. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the United States nonetheless ranked nursing among the top 40 occupations with the highest prevalence of stress-related disorders [10]. Work-related stress can be defined as a pattern of emotional, cognitive, behavioral and physiological reactions to adverse and noxious aspects of work content, work organization and work environment [11].…”

Organizational Climate and Nurse Health Outcomes in the United States: A Systematic Review

“…Finally, another area of concern with regards to the nursing profession is the well-documented adverse mental health problems associated with nursing. Rates of depression, anxiety, somatization, and burnout reported by nurses are among the highest of all the care-giving professions [15][16][17] . Burnout, in particular, has been associated with high rates of nurse dissatisfaction and turnover 18) .…”