Occupational stress in emergency medical services

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Occupational stress is connected with own profession. Commonly follows usually or unexpectedly pressures or responsibilities. AIM: Presenting ways in which working conditions can affect quality of life, and reflection on means of channeling occupational stress. METHOD: The results of a survey concerning occupational stress, conducted in April 2013. were analyzed. 200 physicians from 15 Emergency Medicine Services were meant to participate, but only ~50% of them (103 physicians from 12 centers) answered our questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed with program spss 11 for windows. RESULTS: 54 (53%) of the total number of participants were females and 49 (47%) were males. The age structure showed the highest percentage of those between 31 and 40 years of age. The respondents declared themselves mainly as non-smokers - 87 (84%) and moderate alcohol consumers - 43 (42%). 9 (8,7%) of them admitted they need to take tranquilizers. Reviewing the health condition of the participants, we found that 31 of them (30%) had one or more chronic diseases. Low wages and public exposure had a great impact on physicians' attitude about their profession. Physicians without any stress related symptoms were present in the highest number - 31 (30%), while a minor group reported frequent fatigue and weariness - 23 (22%). For 39 people (38%), the best way for channeling occupational stress was an active use of free time, for 24 of them (23%) it was conversation with colleagues, and for 21 (20%) the solution was simply keeping to themselves. 64 (62%) respondents said that they take their professional problems home after work, and 25 (24%) said they forget about them when the shift ends. CONCLUSION: Working conditions do not have a significant impact on employees in Emergency Medicine Services. Occupational stress related symptoms are present in young doctors as well as in those older than 56 years. The most common ways for stress channeling are free activities and conversations with colleagues