Stressores nos Anestesiologistas Portugueses – uma perspectiva pós-COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Burnout and occupational stress are common problems among Anesthesiologists. The COVID-19 pandemic posed strain on the healthcare system and contributed to an aggravation of this problem. We aimed to identify the main stressors in Anesthesiologists during the post-pandemic period.

Material and Methods: Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional observational study directed to the members of the Portuguese Society of Anesthesiology. The “Stress Questionnaire in Anesthesiologists” (SQA) was applied; this instrument measures the main stressors in Anesthesiologists and assesses 3 dimensions: clinical, team and organizational stress. For group comparisons, the t test for independent samples and one-way ANOVA were used.

Results: One hundred and twenty-three doctors answered the questionnaire. Most participants were female (74%) and worked in the Northern region (46%). Women reported more clinical and team stress. Organizational stress was higher in Anesthesiologists with frequent activity in Emergency and lower in those who worked exclusively in the private health sector.

Discussion and Conclusions: The higher stress level in women is in line with reports from the pre-pandemic period. The lower organizational stress in professionals who work exclusively in the private health sector might be explained by better working conditions and/or less interaction with COVID-19 patients. Identifying the main stressors in portuguese Anesthesiologists may facilitate the implementation of directed interventions, aiming to reduce occupational stress.