Subjective job strain and job satisfaction among neurologists in German hospitals

Abstract

The number of sick leaves due to job strain is increasing. This study's scope is to examine working conditions of neurologists in hospitals in regard to job strain and job satisfaction. This study is part of the iCEPT-Study. The iCEPT-Study was conducted as aweb based survey among physicians (n= 7090) in German hospitals. The focus was on working conditions regarding job strain. Job strain was measured by aquestionnaire consisting of items and scales from the short version of the Effort-Reward-Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire and the short questionnaire for working analysis (KFZA). By calculation ratios of distinct scales according to validated stress models aconclusion could be drawn as to whether or not job strain was present. The total number of n= 354 neurologists were analyzed. The response rate was at 18.2 %. Job strain was encountered by 52.0 % (95 %-KI: 46.7|57.2) of all neurologists and no significant gender difference was present. However, resident neurologists were significantly more often exposed to job strain than attending neurologists (OR= 2.9; 95 %-KI: 1.6-4.7; p< 0.001). Regarding job satisfaction, 59.6 % (95 %-KI: 54.5-64.7) of all respondents stated to be satisfied with their job. Significantly more men were satisfied than women (OR= 1.5; 95 %-KI: 1.0-2.4; p< 0.05). Putting the focus on different occupational positions revealed that significantly more attendings were satisfied with their job than residents (OR= 2.9; 95 %-KI: 1.7-4.8; p <0.001). The results of this study showed high prevalence of job strain among neurologists in German hospitals. Keeping the negative implications of mental and physical health in mind, the working conditions of neurologists must be improved. As shown in this study, apossible way to do so is to increase job control in order to decrease amajor stressor at work.