Work stress and gender-dependent coping strategies in anesthesiologists at a university hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate stressors and coping strategies for stress in a sample of anesthesiologists working at a university hospital.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study via survey instrument.


METHODS
University department of anesthesiology and critical care at a 1305-bed hospital.


METHODS
135 anesthesia specialists and specialist trainees of anesthesia.


RESULTS
A total of 135 self-reporting questionnaires used to assess sociodemographic data, workload, task demands, stress-coping strategies, physical health, emotional well-being, and working conditions, were distributed. Of these, 89 questionnaires were completed and returned, for a response rate of 65.9%: 33 (37.1%) female anesthesiologists and 56 (62.9%) male anesthesiologists. The burden of task-related stressors and of communication possibilities was assessed differently by male and female anesthesiologists. Female anesthesiologists more frequently reported higher concentration demands (P = 0.013) and limited possibilities to control work (P = 0.009) than did their male colleagues. Work at intensive care units (P = 0.001) was particularly demanding and burdensome for female anesthesiologists. Combined evaluation of various stress-coping strategies did not show significant differences between the genders. Generally, anesthesiologists had more confidence in their own personal capabilities and resources and in their social-particularly family-support outside the workplace, than in their social support from colleagues and superiors.


CONCLUSIONS
Task-related stressors and communication possibilities differed between male and female anesthesiologists in our institution. Female anesthesiologists felt that they had less control over their work.
Kinzl
Johann F
JF
Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Innsbruck Medical University, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Traweger
Christian
C
Trefalt
Ernestine
E
Riccabona
Ulla
U
Lederer
Wolfgang
W
D000328:Adult; D000776:Anesthesiology; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology