The occupational stress and lifestyle of anesthesiologists living in the southern district of Tamil Nadu- A pilot questionnaire-based survey

Abstract

A pilot questionnaire-based method was used to assess the qualitative data on work-related stress, family spending time and to evaluate the usefulness of this survey in managing their stress in their own feasible way among the anesthesiologists living in Tamil Nadu, Southern India.It was a cross-sectional, confidential survey conducted using a questionnaire method. It consisted of 15 questions under four headings prepared and handed over personally to 100 anesthesiologists who attended the State-level Anesthesiology Continuing medical education (CMEs), conducted in two districts of the southernmost part of Tamil Nadu. All the questions had a minimum of three multiple-choice options. They were subdivided into four sections: a) Questions on Demographic profile, b) Questions on assessment of time spent with family members: travel time, c) Questions on the assessment of personal time spent: hobbies, recreational activities, exercise, and habits of addiction d) Questions to assess the work pressure.Seventy anaesthesiologists (70%) responded to the survey. The mean age of the participants was 39.5(12.2) years. Among them, 14.3% (10) had diabetes, and 11.4% (8) had hypertension young. 24.3% (17) had>12 duty hours. Most of them spend (34.3%; 24) only 1-2 hours per day with family. Only 15.6% (5) exercise > 5 hours a week. Fifty percent of the participants were stressed during the first case of death on the table (DOT), only 17% handled with confidence and were not stressed, but 33% were stressed and did not sleep well for a few days. The overall stress levels were 61.4%. Forty-two percent (42.8%; 30) have addictive habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol. Our questionnaire-based study helped the responded Anaesthesiologists realize the amount of work-related stress, personal time, and family time is inadequate. At the end of the survey, most wanted to change their lifestyle and spend valuable family and me time for the rest of their life.