Stress and its association with working efficiency of junior doctors during three postgraduate residency training programs

摘要

Background: The residency training period in the medical profession is well known for physical and mental stress, which may affect cognitive function and practical life. The aims of this study were to assess prevalence of stress among the resident trainees of the three medical specialties of Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS) training programs, namely, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, and their association with training years, sex, and marital status. This study also aimed to correlate the stress levels with the working efficiency and self-perceived general health problems. Participants and methods: Resident trainee physicians of SCHS were invited to complete a stress inventory Kessler 10, which is used for stress measurement. Pearson’s chi-square test ( χ 2) and odds ratios (ORs) were used to quantify the associations between categorical variables. A P -value of 2=6.42; P =0.04). The stress level decreased with the increase of years of training in Emergency Medicine ( χ 2=23.76; P 2=60.12; P 2=11.80; P =0.008). High stress level was significantly associated with absence from duty days ( χ 2=28.48, P 2=39.15; P 2=45.27; P <0.0001) of resident trainees. Conclusion: We found significantly high levels of stress among the resident trainees of SCHS. High levels of stress may have an effect on their working efficiency and general physical health. The high stress level decreased efficient day activity and made the trainees absent from the workplace.