open access
Does the palliative medicine specialist cope better with stress than an anaesthetist, surgeon or general practitioner? A study on job-related experience and behaviour patterns
open access
Abstract
Material and methods. A sample of 302 medical practitioners (PAL - 79, GP - 84, SUR - 74, AN - 65) was asked to complete an inventory: "Job-related experience and behaviour patterns" - AVEM/MECCA. Analysis included the distribution of preferred job-related experiences and behaviour patterns. A correlation between previously tested (with NEO-FFI) personal traits of PAL and these results was also examined.
Results. There are two dominant patterns of behaviour helping to cope with overwork and stress among PAL: pattern G, beneficial to health and development at work, and type A, which shows risk due to severe strain. In comparison with AN, SUR and GP, PAL have the smallest predominance of risk patterns (A + B) over those beneficial to health (G + S). PALs are characterized by the strongest social support and satisfaction from life. Personal traits typical for PAL, such as the low level of neuroticism and high degree of extraversion and openness to experience, may serve as a buffer in situations of overload from prolonged stress.
Conclusion. Results suggest that palliative medicine specialists cope better with job stress than medical practitioners in other studied specializations.
Abstract
Material and methods. A sample of 302 medical practitioners (PAL - 79, GP - 84, SUR - 74, AN - 65) was asked to complete an inventory: "Job-related experience and behaviour patterns" - AVEM/MECCA. Analysis included the distribution of preferred job-related experiences and behaviour patterns. A correlation between previously tested (with NEO-FFI) personal traits of PAL and these results was also examined.
Results. There are two dominant patterns of behaviour helping to cope with overwork and stress among PAL: pattern G, beneficial to health and development at work, and type A, which shows risk due to severe strain. In comparison with AN, SUR and GP, PAL have the smallest predominance of risk patterns (A + B) over those beneficial to health (G + S). PALs are characterized by the strongest social support and satisfaction from life. Personal traits typical for PAL, such as the low level of neuroticism and high degree of extraversion and openness to experience, may serve as a buffer in situations of overload from prolonged stress.
Conclusion. Results suggest that palliative medicine specialists cope better with job stress than medical practitioners in other studied specializations.
Keywords
palliative medicine specialists; personality; job stress and coping strategies; job burnout syndrome
Title
Does the palliative medicine specialist cope better with stress than an anaesthetist, surgeon or general practitioner? A study on job-related experience and behaviour patterns
Journal
Advances in Palliative Medicine
Issue
Pages
69-73
Published online
2007-09-07
Page views
567
Article views/downloads
1029
Bibliographic record
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2007;6(2):69-73.
Keywords
palliative medicine specialists
personality
job stress and coping strategies
job burnout syndrome
Authors
Magdalena Muszalska
Małgorzata Krajnik
Maria Rogiewicz