الفهرس 
Health Hazards Among Healthcare workersOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Work related stress occurs in the workplace due to job-related factors or changes in work activities. Work stress among physicians is considered an increasing concern because it affects their professional performance. It has been found that the physicians’ exposure to high levels of stress leads to dissatisfaction with the doctor’s work and himself as individual, as well as his low morale which leads to poor performance.
Burnout syndrome is defined as the loss of enthusiasm for work by physicians associated with a sense of fear, dissipation of personality and a loss of a sense of the importance of work. Psychological or emotional exhaustion appears in the form of apparent fatigue, lack of interest and frustration that affects the efficiency of work progress. physicians in most medical specialties suffer from burnout syndrome or occupational psychological burnout, which affects the health and safety of the patient. Consequently, this leads to increase in medical errors and influences adversely in the ability of the doctor to take the appropriate decision in treating patients. Furthermore, this may lead the doctor to take a decision to stop practicing the profession of medicine.
The current study aimed to measure the prevalence of stress and occupational burnout among Egyptian fellowship physicians, and identify the risk factors associated with the development of both of phenomena. To achieve the objectives of the study, four hundred (400) physicians, who are enrolled in the Egyptian fellowship training program in all medical specialties, were included in our study, and they were asked to fill the study questionnaire which consists of two tools: (1) the Consultants’ Job Stress and Job Satisfaction Questionnaire(2002), a modified version of the Hospital Consultant’s Job stress and Satisfaction – HCJSSQ, and (2) Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) which is the most commonly used tool to assess the risk of burnout.
Results showed that the mean age was 34.1 ± 4.4. Most of the participants were males (77.2%), and about half of them have bachelor degree. Moreover, most of the studied groups were nonsmokers (82.25%), and about half of them (58.25%) perform physical activity for duration of less than half an hour per day. Regarding the total job stress scores and job stress main domains, the job stress score was (66.95%) “Domain 2: Feeling poorly managed and resourced” item was the highest item reported with mean of (16.92) followed by “Domain 7: Having managerial responsibilities” item (15.52%) followed by “Domain 1:work overload disruption to home life) item (11.65%). Age >34 years, being married , having MD degree, working night shifts >3 times per week and being smoker are considered risk factors that associated with high job stress levels.
Regarding the prevalence of burn out syndrome among physicians attending Egyptian fellowship training program, was) 37.5 %(. Additionally, depersonalization score was) 78.8 %( with emotional exhaustion score of)64.5% (and low personal accomplishment score of (13.8%). Risk factors associated with high burn out levels showed that being males, married, working in surgical specialties and extended working hours more than 40 hours per week .too much night shifts more than 3 per week work overload. Moreover, exploring the association between job stress score and burnout score revealed that there was a positive significant correlation between the both scores.
The study recommendations, include improving the work environment and eliminating any factor that leads to job related stress such as assigning a greater number of physicians, distributing the workload fairly and providing close supervision for junior physicians. With clear organizational structure and duties and providing appropriate entertainment for physicians that suit their working hours, this can alleviate the burn out. Also, to reduce job stress and burn out, physicians should be enabled to do sports and activities, and be provided with facilities to take care of them and their families. On top of all of the previously mentioned recommendations, improving the financial situation can play a crucial role in alleviating burn out among physicians. Further, other recommendations include scientific supervision, determining who make decision in health care provision and protecting them against the dangers of the profession. Motivating physicians with clear career paths and chances for promotion with secured work place during working hours are important factors for reducing burnout, and the most important one is security of income.
Further, providing medical insurance for physicians and their families can reduce the burn out phenomenon among physicians while including awareness and entertainment sessions to reduce stress and avoid burn out. Developing an educational intervention program for health care providers about coping strategies to overcome burnout and job challenges is needed. We recommend further follow-up studies on the intensity and determinants of burnout as well as job satisfaction, and what is realistically required to manage or prevent burnout in different physicians’ groups.