A Real-Time Assessment of Work Stress in Physicians and Nurses

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.