Stress and coping in hospital doctors

To investigate the role of coping in the relationship between job stress and well-being in hospital doctors, a survey was conducted in a large teaching hospital. Questionnaires were completed by 170 hospital doctors (house officers to consultants) from a range of specialties. Psychological distress, as measured by the General Health Questionnaire and depression and anxiety scales, was associated with both particular work situations and specific coping strategies. Distress increased with greater job constraints, management issues and problems of diagnosis and treatment. Higher levels of distress were associated with coping strategies that involved emotional distancing from stressors in contrast to actively dealing with them. Clearly, while some stresses encountered by doctors are intrinsic to the job, others (such as hours worked) may be modified. Some doctors may reduce the stress associated with these factors by the use of appropriate coping strategies. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.