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Rutledge T, Stucky E, Dollarhide A, Shively M, Jain S, Wolfson T, Weinger MB, Dresselhaus T. A real-time assessment of work stress in physicians and nurses. Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association. 2009 Mar 1; 28(2):194-200.
OBJECTIVE: This study adapted ecological momentary assessment methods to: (a) examine differences in work stress between nurses and physicians, and (b) to study relationships between work stress, work activity patterns, and sleep. DESIGN: A total of 185 physicians and 119 nurses (206 women, 98 men) working in four teaching hospitals participated in an observational study of work stress. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants carried handheld computers that randomly prompted them for work activity, patient load, and work stress information. RESULTS: Participants completed more than 9,500 random interval surveys during the study (an average of 30.8 surveys per person-week). Approximately 85% of all surveys were completed in full (73.3%) or partially (11.6%). Emotional stress scores among physicians were nearly 50% higher (26.9[19.0]) than those of nurses (18.1[14.9], r[302] = .37, p < .001). Direct and indirect care activities were associated with higher stress reports by both clinician groups (rs[159] = .14-.26, ps < .01). Sleep quality and quantity were predictors of work stress scores (ps < .05). Finally, higher work stress and lower sleep quality were also associated with poorer memory performance (r[302] = -.12, .17, ps < 05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings identify patterns of work stress in relationship to work activities, sleep habits, and provider differences that may be used to assist ongoing hospital work reform efforts.