Occupational Stress among Obstetrician/Gynecologists

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Abstract
Our objective was to assess occupational stress in obstetrician/gynecologists using a standardized, validated tool. The Osipow Occupational Stress Inventory, which measures occupational stress (occupational roles questionnaire [ORQ]), psychological strain (personal strain questionnaire), and coping resources (personal resources questionnaire), was distributed to 277 obstetrician/gynecologists in Houston. The chi2 or Fisher's exact test was used where appropriate. Sixty-nine surveys were analyzed. Median T scores for all subscales were within the normal range. Abnormal scores were recorded by 22 physicians (31%) on at least one subscale of the ORQ, by 5 physicians (7%) on at least one subscale of the personal strain questionnaire, and by 6 physicians (9%) on at least one subscale of the personal resources questionnaire (P < 0.05). Abnormal scores occurred more frequently in the ORQ domain. Generalists had significantly more abnormal scores than did subspecialists (P < 0.05). Occupational stress is common among obstetrician/gynecologists. This appears to be balanced by good coping skills.