Assessing Job Stress Among Emergency Department Healthcare Professionals in India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Kanchala Maithreyi; Vijay Kumar SS; Ananth Prasad Rao HT

doi:10.55489/njmr.150220251080

Authors

Kanchala Maithreyi Department of Emergency Medicine, Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, India
Vijay Kumar SS Department of Emergency Medicine, Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1719-6770
Ananth Prasad Rao HT Department of Emergency Medicine, Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njmr.150220251080

Keywords:

Occupational stress, Emergency healthcare providers, Workforce resilience, Psychosomatic symptoms, Burnout prevention

Abstract

Background: Emergency healthcare professionals work in high-stress environments, facing long hours, traumatic events, and limited resources, resulting in psychological and physiological distress. This study assesses job-related stress among emergency healthcare providers in India and identifies key stressors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2024, including 114 emergency healthcare workers. Stress levels were measured using the Stress Parameters and Manifestations Scale (SPMS), a 20-item tool assessing self-awareness, interpersonal relationships, psychosomatic symptoms, and clinical manifestations on a 5-point Likert scale. Higher scores indicate greater stress. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0, with t-tests and ANOVA, and significance set at p <0.05.

Results: The cohort comprised 52.2% males, 80.5% doctors, and 71.7% from medical colleges. High workload perception (62.0%), sleep disturbances (41.6%), and low mood post-patient interactions (42.4%) were prevalent. Psychosomatic symptoms such as palpitations (40.7%) and persistent sleepiness (42.5%) were common. Females reported significantly higher self-awareness (p <0.001) and overall stress (p = 0.023). Those working over 16 hours daily had the highest stress, particularly in clinical manifestations (p = 0.017).

Conclusion: Emergency healthcare workers experience significant occupational stress, highlighting the need for structured schedules, mental health support, and stress management strategies to improve workforce resilience.

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