Gender Disparities in Workplace Stress Levels Among Physicians and Nurses

Abstract

Work stress is increasingly recognized as a critical health concern that negatively impacts employee satisfaction and productivity, leading to elevated absenteeism and turnover rates. Studies suggest that women may face higher levels of work-related stress than men, although some research has not identified significant differences. The experiences of stress in the workplace differ between doctors and nurses, given the higher levels of interpersonal interaction in these roles. This cross-sectional observational study involved 200 doctors and 200 nurses, ensuring balanced gender representation. Demographic information was collected through a semi-structured proforma, and workplace stress was assessed using the Workplace Stress Scale. The results indicated that 66.2% of participants viewed their work environment as stressful, with a mean score of 19.01 on the Workplace Stress Scale. A notably higher proportion of females (72.5%) reported experiencing stress at work compared to males (60.5%, p<0.05). Among the nursing staff, female nurses reported the highest stress levels (76%, mean score of 21.3), followed by female doctors (69%, mean score of 19.4), while male nurses (61%, mean score of 18.1) and male doctors (60%, mean score of 17.2) reported lower levels. These findings suggest that women perceive their work environments as significantly more stressful than their male counterparts. It is crucial to focus on enhancing working conditions for doctors and nurses, especially for female employees, as this can lead to improved outcomes for patients and the wider community. Keywords: Doctors, Gender Disparities, Nursing Staff, Work Stress.