Abstract
Currently, healthcare management fosters a maximization of performance despite a relative shortage of specialists. We evaluated anaesthesiologists’ workload, physical health, emotional well-being, job satisfaction and working conditions under increased pressure from consolidated working hours. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was performed in Austrian anaesthesiologists (overall response rate 41.0%). Three hundred and ninety four anaesthesiologists (280 specialists, 114 anaesthesiology trainees) participated. Anaesthesiologists reported frequently working under time pressure (95%CI: 65.6–74.6), at high working speed (95%CI: 57.6–67.1), with delayed or cancelled breaks (95%CI: 54.5–64.1), and with frequent overtime (95%CI: 42.6–52.4). Perceived work climate correlated with task conduct (manner of work accomplishment, the way in which tasks were completed), participation (decision-making power in joint consultation and teamwork), psychosocial resources, uncertainty, task variability and time tolerance (authority in time management and control over operating speed) (all P <0.001). Having not enough time for oneself (95%CI: 47.6–57.4), for sleep (95%CI: 45.6–55.4) or for one’s partner and children (95%CI: 21.8–30.4) was common. One-third of the participants reported frequent feelings of being unsettled (95%CI: 33.4–43.0) and difficulty talking about their emotions (95%CI: 27.3–36.5). Frequent dissatisfaction with life was reported by 11.4% (95%CI: 8.7–14.9) of the respondents. Strong time pressure and little decision-making authority during work along with long working hours and frequent work interruptions constitute the basis for occupational stress in anaesthesiologists. We conclude that increased pressure to perform during work hours contributes to emotional exhaustion and poor work-life balance. Changes in the work schedule of anaesthesiologists are required to avoid negative effects on health and emotional well-being.
Highlights
Medical professionals are socially respected and held in high esteem
Inclusion criteria were anaesthesiologists working in Austrian hospitals, O GARI membership, who gave informed consent on the understanding that results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal
Of the 1,149 O GARI members, 1,145 anaesthesiologists working in hospitals were potentially eligible to participate, of whom 470 responded; 394 anaesthesiologists (280 specialists, 114 anaesthesiology trainees) answered the online questionnaire, 76 participants did not complete the entire test battery and were not included in this analysis
Summary
Medical professionals are socially respected and held in high esteem. the public is generally not aware of what working in the healthcare system means. The extent of burden and stress from long working hours, night calls, the increasing pressure to perform in situations where staffing levels are inadequate, hard-nosed competition in scientific work, exposure to hazardous substances, radiation and infections, verbal assault and even physical violence and the imminent threat of malpractice litigation are not anticipated by most young colleagues at the outset of their medical career [1,2,3]. Health status matters; it can seriously impair a person’s performance and limit the achievable quality of life. Focusing on a vulnerable group of hospital employees [4,9,12,13], we drew up and distributed to Austrian anaesthesiologists a questionnaire on working conditions, occupational stress and perceived health status
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