@article {Burbeck234, author = {R Burbeck and S Coomber and S M Robinson and C Todd}, title = {Occupational stress in consultants in accident and emergency medicine: a national survey of levels of stress at work}, volume = {19}, number = {3}, pages = {234--238}, year = {2002}, doi = {10.1136/emj.19.3.234}, publisher = {British Association for Accident and Emergency Medicine}, abstract = {Objective: To assess levels of occupational stress in UK accident and emergency (A\&E) consultants. Method: Postal survey of complete enumeration of UK consultants. Main outcome measures: GHQ-12 and SCL-D, and respondents{\textquoteright} reported perceptions of stressors. Results: Of 371 valid respondents (78\%), 21 declined to participate. Of the remaining 350, 154 (44.4\%) had GHQ-12 scores over the threshold for distress, which is much higher than found in other studies of doctors. Levels of depression as measured by the SCL-D at 18\% (n=63) were slightly higher than other groups. Thirty four (10\%) reported suicidal ideation. Women had significantly higher SCL-D scores than men (U=6604, p\<0.01). Respondents were highly satisfied with A\&E as a specialty. Protective factors found in other occupational groups did not apply. Only one demographic or work related factor; number of hours reportedly worked during previous week by respondents in full time posts (median=57, interquartile range=57), significantly correlated with either stress outcome measure (GHQ-12 scores) (ρ=0.126, p\<0.03). Logistic regression modelling revealed {\textquotedblleft}being overstretched{\textquotedblright} (OR=1.18), {\textquotedblleft}effect of hours (OR=0.82) and stress (OR=1.58) on family life{\textquotedblright}, and {\textquotedblleft}lack of recognition{\textquotedblright} (OR=1.32) were significant predictors of GHQ identified caseness, while {\textquotedblleft}the effect of stress on family life{\textquotedblright} (OR=1.53), low prestige of specialty (OR=1.20), and {\textquotedblleft}dealing with management{\textquotedblright} (OR=1.28) predicted SCL-D scores. Conclusion: There are high levels of psychological distress among doctors working in A\&E compared with other groups of doctors. There is likely to be an effect on staff morale and career longevity. Interventions to improve the working lives of A\&E consultants are required, in particular a reduction in hours worked.}, issn = {1472-0205}, URL = {https://emj.bmj.com/content/19/3/234}, eprint = {https://emj.bmj.com/content/19/3/234.full.pdf}, journal = {Emergency Medicine Journal} }