Occupational stress and influencing factors, in medical residents of one of the educational hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Occupational stress is one of the most common hazards in workplaces and leads to different physical, mental, and behavioral outcomes and complications. Medical residents, due to the nature and characteristics of their job, confront various stressors. This study has been designed in order to identify the frequency of occupational stress in medical residents and factors influencing it. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 305 residents in various specialties in Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital on spring 1389. For measuring the degree of stress, we used Osipow occupational stress inventory. T-test, Chi-Square, ANOVA and Logistic regression were used to evaluate associations. Response rate was 87%. Most of the residents had moderate stress. Average score of total stress was 147.06 from 250. The most frequent stressor was work overload (31.05 from 50) and responsibility (29.55 from 50). Stress significantly increased with shift work (OR=4.591, CI=1.31-16.13, P=0.017), surgery (OR=3.769, CI=2.10-6.76, P=0.001) and also correlated with lower rest time (OR=1.962, CI=1.12-4.08, P=0.048) and higher weekly work hours (OR=1.242, CI=1.10-2.34, P=0.050). As mentioned the most frequent stressors were work over load and responsibility, so it is recommended that in order to reduce stress, work hours must be limited and support residents more properly. In addition, some education and consultation for specialty choice must be giving to the physicians.