A Cross-sectional Survey on Health Status and Work Stress in Different Medical Professionals at Five University Hospitals, Focusing on Each Occupation

Abstract

This is the first multicenter survey to clarify occupational environments and health and stress status in various medical professionals (MPs). The survey questionnaire included the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI), Quality of Working Life (QWL), medical incidents, and demographic data. We collected 3,335 questionnaires from 7,698 MPs and analyzed 3,036 of them. The MPs were categorized into 6 groups: nurses (n = 1,821); physicians (706); dentists (83); pharmacists (77); MPs involved in disease diagnoses (MP-diagnosis), including clinical laboratory technicians and radiographers (261); and MPs involved in patient treatment (MP-treatment), including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other therapists (88). Working hours were the longest for physicians, and the night shift work was the greatest for nurses. Mental health (GHQ) was the worst in nurses and was the best in physicians. ERI was worse in nurses and MP-treatment than in other occupations. QWL in maintaining personal values was the worst in physicians. Different health/stress statuses must be considered when assisting MPs and forming policy guidelines.