WORKPLACE STRESSORS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON HEALTH OF MID-CAREER FEMALE DOCTORS OF A SEMI GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL

Workplace Stressors

Abstract

Objective: To identify the nature of workplace stressors and their influence on health of mid-career female doctors of a semi government hospital of Rawalpindi.
Study Design: Qualitative study which employed collective case study approach.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in a semi government hospital of Pakistan, from Jan to Jun 2016.
Material and Methods: A total of 12 midcareer female doctors having more than ten years of working experience in a semi government hospital of Rawalpindi were identified and approached. This study was a qualitative study and collective case study approach was used. All females were interviewed after the informed consent by using semi-structured questionnaire. They were inquired about the stress factors they come across at their workplace that affect their health. They were also inquired about the nature of health issues facing them due to these stress factors. Themes identified in the data were compared with themes already searched in literature.
Results: One on one in depth interviews of mid-career female doctors revealed various themes associated with departmental and institutional stress factors. All female doctors believed that their job was very challenging and tough and they faced many problems like gender discrimination, long working hours, stressful working environment, low salaries and lack of rewards and remuneration policies of institutions, all of which had caused harm to their health.
Conclusion: Work place stress factors influence the health and well-being of mid-career female doctors’ by curbing their efficiency and having a negative impact on their overall quality of life by causing harm to their health.