Relationship between sub-health status and occupational stress among doctors and nurses

Objective To evaluate the sub-health status and to explore the relationship between occupational stress and sub-health status among doctors and nurses. Methods The sample consisted of 925 doctors and 408 nurses selected with stratified cluster sampling.The occupational stress was measured with Occupation Stress Inventory Revised Edition(OSI-R) and the sub-healthy status was measured with physical examination and a self-designed questionnaire. Results The prevalence of sub-healthy status in the doctors was 66.9%and was significantly higher than that in the nurses(59.8%, P<0.05).The total scores of occupational roles questionnaire(146.77±20.14)and personal strain questionnaire (89.32±19.10)in the doctors were significantly higher than those in the nurses(141.03±21.17,86.83±20.01, P<0.05),whereas the total score of personal resources questionnaire(123.39±16.89)was significantly lower than that in the nurses(125.45±17.03,P<0.05).The main occupational stress factors related to sub-health status among the doctors were physical strain,psychological strain,role boundary,role overload,role insufficiency,and unsuitable working environment.The main occupational stress factors related to sub-health status among the nurses were physical strain,psychological strain,role insufficiency,and unsuitable working environment. Conclusion Occupational stress is an important risk factor for sub-health status among doctors and nurses.