[01] Al Mazrouei A. M., Health Centers Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [02] Al Faisal W., Health Affairs Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [03] Hussein H. Y., Health Affairs Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [04] El Sawaf E. M., Health Centers Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [05] Wasfy A. S., Research and Statistics department, Ministry of Health, UAE.

Background: Occupational stress has been a long-standing concern of the health care industry. Studies indicate that health care workers have higher rates of substance abuse and suicide than other professions and elevated rates of depression and anxiety linked to job stress. Objectives: To determine levels, sources and associated factors of job-related stress among physicians. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was utilized at the 3 main hospitals affiliated to DHA (Rashid, Dubai, and Latifa hospitals) in Dubai. Self-administered questionnaire was used. The questionnaire contains 4 sections; socio-demographic data, habits and life style, occupational data, assessment of job stress. 353 physicians out of 550 have responded with 64.2% response rate, 282 were complete and eligible for analysis. Results: The study showed that the mean total stress score was 47.2 with standard deviation of 17.6 (n = 282). The mean stress factors’ scores were as follow: overload disruption to home life (10.7± 4.8), feeling poorly managed and resource (8.48 ± 4.00), dealing with blame and anger from patients and relatives (3.9 ± 2.1), dealing with change in practice (4.16 ± 2.02), encountering difficulties in relationships with staff/colleagues (2.17 ± 1.8), dealing with patients’ suffering (3.39 ± 1.69) and having managerial responsibilities (3.8 ± 2.23). There was no statistical significant difference between the three categories of age group. However, mean total stress score was higher among age group between > 40- < 50 years old (48.9 ± 16.8), followed by age group of ≤ 40 years old (47.9 ±18.7) and age group of ≥ 50 years old (41.7 ± 15.4). Regarding gender, females scored higher mean total stress than males (49.5 ± 16.3 and 45.4 ± 18.5 respectively) Conclusion: Physicians with PhD or equivalent degree and older ages (≥ 50 years old) were less stressed. In addition, physicians with longer years of experience were apparently less stressed. Specialty and physical activity (exercise) were significant predictors of total stress score. Moving to another hospital, changing job, having health problems, quitting job and having poor relationships with coworkers were all reported as consequences of job stress by the physicians.

Job-Related Stress, Physicians, Dubai

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