Occupational stress among obstetrician/gynecologists.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to assess occupational stress in obstetrician/gynecologists using a standardized, validated tool.


METHODS
The Osipow Occupational Stress Inventory, which measures occupational stress (occupational roles questionnaire [ORQ]), psychological strain (personal strain questionnaire), and coping resources (personal resources questionnaire), was distributed to 277 obstetrician/gynecologists in Houston. The chi2 or Fisher's exact test was used where appropriate.


RESULTS
Sixty-nine surveys were analyzed. Median T scores for all subscales were within the normal range. Abnormal scores were recorded by 22 physicians (31%) on at least one subscale of the ORQ, by 5 physicians (7%) on at least one subscale of the personal strain questionnaire, and by 6 physicians (9%) on at least one subscale of the personal resources questionnaire (P < 0.05). Abnormal scores occurred more frequently in the ORQ domain. Generalists had significantly more abnormal scores than did subspecialists (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Occupational stress is common among obstetrician/gynecologists. This appears to be balanced by good coping skills.
Promecene
Pamela A
PA
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Medical School Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA. pamela.a.promecene@uth.tmc.edu
Monga
Manju
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010819:Physician's Role; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D014505:Urban Population