Occupational stress, job satisfaction and well-being in anaesthetists

An understanding of the extent and aetiology of occupational stress within medical specialities is lacking, despite the extensive research into stress in health care organizations. This study examines the nature of stress experienced by anaesthetists and its effect on job satisfaction and individual well-being. The Occupational Stress Indicator (OSI) and additional anaesthetist-specific stress questions were distributed to 1000 members of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, yielding 564 useable responses. Compared to other workers, anaesthetists reported high levels of stress comparable to other health care professionals. Four themes emerged: daily demands, communication within the hospital, maintaining standards of patient care, accountability. Multiple regression analyses found that organizational issues, especially communication within the hospital and perceived lack of control, were most important in determining job satisfaction and individual well-being. The implications and limitations of the study are discussed.