Physician Task Load: Strategies to Mitigate Stress Among Doctors

Authors

  • Hassan Mumtaz Maroof International Hospital https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2881-2556
  • Hajirah Khalid KRL Hospital Islamabad
  • Sana Aftab Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad
  • Ahsan Shafiq Rawalpindi Medical University
  • Shahzaib Ahmad King Edward Medical University
  • Tehreem Fatima CIBNP, California USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32413/pjph.v12i2.1000

Keywords:

Doctor stress, Physician Task Load, Burnout, Emotional Exhaustion, Depression

Abstract

Background: Work schedules and conditions have a significant impact on the physical, mental, and social well-being of physicians. The purpose of this study is to determine the workload of physicians working in various departments of a tertiary healthcare centre, as well as the link between physician job load and specialty.

Methods: This Cross-Sectional study was carried out from October 2020 to November 2020 at KRL Hospital Islamabad. Hospital records were used to gather information about the number of patients. Four parameters, such as mental demand, physical demand, time and effort demands were evaluated.

Results: Gynecology had the highest patient load (23 percent), followed by pediatrics (21%) and surgery (14 %). Physically and mentally taxing specialties were urology and maxillofacial surgery. Psychiatry had the lowest demands in terms of mental, physical, time, and effort.

Conclusion: Our study shows that Urology and Internal Medicine are more time-consuming and stressful for the physician to perform. Physicians need better working conditions and less work, so we should focus on stress management and reduction for them.

Author Biographies

  • Hassan Mumtaz, Maroof International Hospital

    Clinical Resaerch Associate: Maroof International Hospital Islamabad

    Public Health Scholar: Health Services Academy Islamabad

  • Hajirah Khalid, KRL Hospital Islamabad

    Resident Surgeon

  • Sana Aftab, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad

    Resident Pediatrics

  • Ahsan Shafiq, Rawalpindi Medical University

    Resident Internal Medicine

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Published

30-06-2022

How to Cite

1.
Mumtaz H, Khalid H, Aftab S, Shafiq A, Ahmad S, Fatima T. Physician Task Load: Strategies to Mitigate Stress Among Doctors. Pak J Public Health [Internet]. 2022 Jun. 30 [cited 2024 Oct. 7];12(2):68-71. Available from: https://pjph.org/pjph/article/view/1000