Effects of dialogue groups on physicians' work environment.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether dialogue groups for physicians can improve their psychosocial work environment.


METHODS
The study assessed the impact of eight dialogue groups, which involved 60 physicians at a children's clinic in one of the main hospitals in Stockholm. Psychosocial work environment measures were collected through a validated instrument sent to all physicians (n = 68) in 1999, 2001 and 2003. Follow-up data were collected after the termination of the groups.


RESULTS
The overall score of organizational and staff wellbeing, as assessed by the physicians at the clinic, deteriorated from 1999 until 2003 and then improved 2004. This shift in the trend coincided with the intervention. No other factors which might explain this shift could be identified.


CONCLUSIONS
In a naturalistic study of this kind it is not possible to prove any causal relationships. A controlled survey of management programmes concerning the work environment among physicians would be of interest for further research.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that dialogue groups may be one way to improve the psychosocial work environment for physicians.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a lack of intervention studies regarding the efficacy of management programmes directed toward physicians, concerning the effects on professional and personal wellbeing. This is the first time dialogue groups have been studied within a health care setting.
Bergman
David
D
Medical Management Centre, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. david.bergman@ki.se
Arnetz
Bengt
B
Wahlström
Rolf
R
Sandahl
Christer
C
D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011590:Psychology, Industrial; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D000078329:Workforce; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*