La radiologia medica

, 113:329 | Cite as

Work stress in radiologists. A pilot study

  • N. Magnavita
  • A. Fileni
  • G. Magnavita
  • F. Mammi
  • P. Mirk
  • K. Roccia
  • A. Bergamaschi
Ethics, Etica
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Purpose. We studied occupational stress and its psychosocial effects in a sample of Italian radiologists and radiotherapists

Materials and methods. Radiologists and radiotherapists attending two medical conferences were invited to complete a questionnaire comprising four sections investigating the risk of occupational stress (organisational discomfort, Karasek’s Job Content Questionnaire, Siegrist’s Effort-Reward Imbalance, Warr’s Job Satisfaction) and four sections investigating the health effects of such stress (Goldberg’s Anxiety and Depression scales, General Health Questionnaire, Lifestyles Questionnaire)

Results. Radiologists and radiotherapists generally expressed high levels of control, reward and satisfaction. However, 38.5% complained of severe organisational discomfort, 24% reported job strain, 28% reported effort/reward imbalance and 25% were dissatisfied. Female radiologists and radiotherapists showed higher levels of organisational discomfort than their male colleagues. Younger and less experienced radiologists and radiotherapists had higher strain scores than their older and more experienced colleagues. A significant correlation was observed between stress predictors and the effects of stress on health, including depression and anxiety, psychological distress and unhealthy lifestyles

Conclusions. Radiologists and radiotherapists are exposed to major occupational stress factors, and a significant percentage of them suffer from workplace stress. A special effort is required to prevent this condition

Keywords

Radiologist Radiotherapists Work stress 

Stress da lavoro nei medici radiologi. Studio pilota

Riassunto

Obiettivo. Abbiamo inteso indagare l’entità dello stress professionale nei radiologi e radioterapisti e le conseguenze psicosociali associate

Materiali e metodi. I partecipanti a due congressi sono stati invitati a compilare un questionario composto da quattro diverse sezioni per misurare il rischio (disagio, contenuto del lavoro secondo il modello di Karasek, discrepanza tra impegno e risultati secondo il modello di Siegrist, e soddisfazione lavorativa secondo Warr) e quattro sezioni per misurare gli effetti dello stress da lavoro (ansia e depressione secondo il questionario di Goldberg, malessere secondo il General Health Questionnaire, stili di vita)

Risultati. Nelle risposte rilevate, i medici del campione analizzato esprimono mediamente elevati livelli di discrezionalità, di ricompensa e di soddisfazione dal lavoro, che tuttavia si associano ad un elevato livello di disagio per le condizioni di lavoro nel 38,5% degli specialisti. Il 24% degli intervistati si trova in condizioni di job strain, il 28% soffre per la discrepanza tra impegno prestato sul lavoro e risultati ottenuti, il 25% è insoddisfatto del lavoro. Il disagio per l’organizzazione del lavoro è maggiore nelle donne. Lo stress da lavoro colpisce soprattutto i medici più giovani e con minore esperienza lavorativa. Tutte le variabili indicative di stress da lavoro risultano significativamente associate con gli effetti: ansia, depressione, malessere psicologico, cattivi stili di vita

Conclusioni. I radiologi e i radioterapisti sono esposti a rilevanti e specifici fattori di stress professionale. Lo stress da lavoro è presente in circa un quarto dei casi. È necessario un impegno specifico per la prevenzione di tale condizione

Parole chiave

Radiologi Radioterapisti Stress da lavoro 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Italia 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  • N. Magnavita
    • 1
  • A. Fileni
    • 2
  • G. Magnavita
    • 3
    • 6
  • F. Mammi
    • 5
  • P. Mirk
    • 4
  • K. Roccia
    • 5
  • A. Bergamaschi
    • 1
  1. 1.Istituto di Medicina del Lavoro dell’Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomaItaly
  2. 2.Istituto Nazionale di Riposo e Cura dell’Anziano (INRCA), U.O. RadiologiaRomaItaly
  3. 3.Istituto di Bioetica dell’Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomaItaly
  4. 4.Dipartimento di BioImmagini e Scienze RadiologicheUniversità Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomaItaly
  5. 5.Medico del lavoroRomaItaly
  6. 6.Ministero dell’AmbienteRomaItaly

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