Influence of work environment on emotional health in a health care setting.
BACKGROUND
Radical changes are taking place in health care services and might be expected to cause job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, somatic complaints and mental health problems. Research in this area is limited and focused primarily on nurses.


OBJECTIVE
To understand the impact of the work environment on the emotional health of doctors and nurses in a general hospital setting.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study using self-reported questionnaires including the General Health Questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for Civilians, the Trauma Experiences and Work Environment Scale.


RESULTS
The response rates for the study were 28% (60) for doctors and 54% (431) for nurses. Whilst the prevalences of psychiatric disorder, anxiety, depression and PTSD were higher for doctors compared with nurses, this was not statistically significant. Both groups reported witnessing someone badly injured or killed as their most distressing experience (doctors 46% versus nurses 41%). Using multiple logistic regression, significant predictors of emotional health was task orientation for doctors (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.1-3.6), and PTSD (OR = 17.2, 95% CI = 6.0-49.6), work pressure (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.01-1.4) and innovation (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.70-0.94) for nurses.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of psychiatric disorder among the doctors and nurses was similar to that in Britain. Elements of the work environment did impact on the emotional health of health care workers. Organizational development initiatives should include employee mental health issues in order to create a more positive work environment.
Chan
Angelina O M
AO
Psychological Medicine, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529889. chanom@pacific.net.sg
Huak
Chan Yiong
CY
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D004651:Employment; D004777:Environment; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D016526:Workload