Health Professional Wellbeing

A study by Winefield et al. of Australian general practitioners found that the perception of a lack of work support was the strongest predictor of work stress, ahead of workload. The study, examining 30 GPs aged 35-45 years old, also found no correlation between work stress and severity of mistakes made by the doctors.

The authors accept there were a number of weaknesses in the study design including the small sample size and the potential for bias to have altered the responses, and recommended larger, more robust studies to further explore work stress in health professionals.

The full study is available at the Australian Journal of Primary Health.

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An article published in the Australian Medical Journal found that many doctors are at risk of burning out if their work situation is not improved. The article describes the high level of stress that doctors face as being primarily caused by the interaction between the demanding nature of the job and a low control workplace. The article highlights some ‘red flags’ of dangerous levels of stress in doctors including:
• falling standards
• failing to complete paperwork
• poor punctuality
• any overt sign of substance abuse or psychiatric illness.

The full article can be found at www.mja.com.au.

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A West Australian survey has mirrored the findings of a recent American study, finding a third of Australian doctors intend to retire early, citing increased paperwork and exhaustion as the primary reasons. The survey which examined 178 GPs found that doctors saw increased bureaucracy and poor job satisfaction were the most common obstacles to general practice and believed better remuneration, staffing levels and support would encourage them to work for longer.

The full study can be found at www.mja.com.au.

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In 1993, the United Nations International Labour Organisation claimed that stress-related absenteeism, disability and lost productivity cost in the region of US$200 billion per year. The cost of stress to the workplace has been estimated at US$17 billion in the US alone.

More recently the Health Safety Executive (HSE) concluded that work related stress, anxiety or depression costs UK employers in the UK in the region of £370 million and the general society approximately £3.7 billion. Since these calculations were done, the estimated number of days lost due to stress has more than doubled. On this basis, the HSE identifies work related stress, anxiety and depression as a major health concern and argues that effective reduction of stress will lead to significant benefits for organizations. Recently organizations have become legally required to address these issues.

Ramesh Manocha.

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A survey of doctors in the United States has revealed over 60% of doctors would not recommend the profession, with over 40% of the doctors surveyed revealing they have plans to reduce their workload or quit. The survey of over 12,000 practicing specialists and primary care doctors found increased paperwork producing greater workloads and stress to be the primary cause of the dissatisfaction.

Read more about the survey here.

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A randomised controlled trial by Oman et al (2006) found that a meditation course reduced stress levels in a group of health professionals. The study analysed 58 participants and also reported positive results on mental health, however it was criticised for minor violations of randomisation and for using a weak control.

The study can be obtained here.

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A randomised controlled trial by Kang et al (2009) called “The effectiveness of a stress coping program based on mindfulness meditation on the stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by nursing students in Korea” found nursing students who engaged in an 8 week course in meditation showed lower anxiety and stress scores then a wait list control group. The study looked at 41 students and concluded that the course was an effective stress management programme.

The full article can be read here.

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A randomised controlled trial by Pipe et al (2009) titled “Nurse Leader Mindfulness Meditation Program for Stress Management” found nurses who underwent a four week course of meditation had reduced stress. The study focused on 33 nurse leaders who were assigned to the meditation course or a leadership control course.

Read the full article here.

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Welcome to the Health Professional Wellbeing blog! This blog will be frequently updated with information relating to the wellbeing of health professionals including recent studies, journal articles and news.

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