SURVEY OF PERCEIVED STRESS AND WORK DEMANDS OF CONSULTANT DOCTORS

Objectives-The objectives of this study were to assess the work demand s as potential stressors of health service consultants, and to describ e the development of tools for measuring stress experiences of consult ants. Methods-A stratified random sample of 500 NHS consultants in Sco tland was targeted by a postal questionnaire and 375 (75%) returned a valid response. They completed questionnaires, including information o n demographic factors, work demands, occupational stressors, and burno ut. Results-Principal components analysis showed that professional wor k demands of consultants fell into three categories: clinical, academi c, and administrative. Their perceived stressors separated into four m ain factors: clinical responsibility, demands on time, organisational constraints, and personal confidence. These were assessed by 25 questi ons in the specialist doctors' stress inventory. Specific questions ab out perceived stressors which resulted in a high positive response inc luded questions about demands on time, and organisational change in th e NHS. Conclusion-These self reported data characterise and measure th e consultants' work demands and their role as potential stressors. The se measurements could form the basis for strategies to reduce occupati onal stress in these workers.