Estrés ocupacional y satisfacción laboral en médicos del Hospital Universitario de los Andes (IAHULA)

Abstract

Physicians report higher levels of occupational stress than others professionals which influences their job satisfaction and work performance. This study had three main objectives: Identify the stress level by medical specialty, identify sexual differences in the sources of stress, and determine the relation between stress and job satisfaction. The sample was made up of fifty two physicians with different medical specialties and 21 medicine students enrolled in the last year of their career. For analysis, they were divided into three groups: Students working in the emergency area, internists, and specialists. The results showed: (a) No significant difference among the groups on general stress, but, it was found that students were higher on the factor interference of functions; (b) for the complete sample, interference of functions was the highest stressor followed by work overload, conflicting interpersonal relationships, and role conflict; (c) no sexual differences were found between women and men in occupational stress; (d) stress was negatively associated with job satisfaction, and (e) Students working at the emergency area were less satisfied than the other groups. Results are discussed at the light of the implications of stress for the workers in the public health services.