Letter to Editor 4. Sri EV, Raguram R, Srivastava M. Alcohol problems in a general hospital: A prevalence study. J Indian Med Assoc 1997; 95:505‑6. 5. Babu RS, Sengupta SN. A study of problem drinkers in a general hospital. Indian J Psychiatry 1997;39:13‑7. 6. National Family Health Survey (NFHS‑3), 2005‑06, India: Key Findings. Mumbai: IIPS. 7. Prasad R. Alcohol use on the rise in India. Lancet 2009;373:17‑8. 8. Tsai YF, Tsai MC, Lin YP, Chen CY. Brief intervention for problem drinkers in a Chinese population: a randomized controlled trial in a hospital setting. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2009;33:95-101.
Access this article online Quick Response Code Website: www.indianjpsychiatry.org
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.120572
Job stress among emergency nursing staff: A preliminary study Sir, It is commonly accepted that certain professions, by their very nature, place personnel at risk of experiencing stressful incidents. Recognition is growing that health care professionals, especially emergency unit staffs are at risk for experiencing stressful events.[1] Patient’s suffering and death, uncooperative behavior of the patient, unreasonable demands, conflict with administration and lack of emotional support from team members were seen as potential stressors.[2] Some pilot studies have been conducted in developed countries among staff nurses, working under different stressful situations in hospitals.[1‑4] To the best of the knowledge of the author of the present study, no prior study focusing on this health problem either from general or teaching hospital has been reported from India. The studies conducted in foreign countries may not be relevant to Indian setting. Hence, it was considered important to study this problem in India. A cross‑sectional design was followed and a one‑time assessment of sociodemographic and measurement of stress levels of in staff nurses working in emergency services of a teaching institution was conducted. It was the descriptive, non‑experimental studies in which staff nurses have been interviewed observed and were administered research tools for assessing the stress levels. Staff nurses posted in emergency department constituted 12.9% (n=52) of total staff nurses strength of the hospital. Most of them were in the age group of 26‑30 years (n=30; 69.76%). On self‑estimation scale 65.11% (n=28) of staff nurses had moderate levels of stress. 20.93% (n=9) of staff nurses has severe level of stress. On perceived stress scale,[5] 68.2% (n=29) staff nurses has a moderate level of stress and 12.8% (n=5) has mild level and 19.1% (n=8) has a severe level of stress scores in staff nurses 62.83% (n=27) of the staff nurses reported that their occupational functioning was moderately affected due to stress levels. During the study, 58.13% (n=25) of the study population revealed that they would take help and support from others in coping with stressful situations; 13.95% (n=6) Indian Journal of Psychiatry 55(4), Oct-Dec 2013
of total sample reported that they will try to forget the stressful events. Need of health education (n=20; 46.5%), exercises (n=9; 20.9%), relaxation therapy (n=7; 16.2%) were reported; 72.09% (n=31) of the staff nurses reported that they would prefer demarcation of personal and professional life; 23.25% (n=10) reported that they will try to reduce stress by participating in extracurricular activities; 60.47% (n=26) of the staff nurses revealed a need for nursing counselor [Table 1]. The result of this study showed that work‑related stress is common among emergency nursing staff. In the Emergency Department of a Hospital, the staff nurses are overburdened. Staff nurses were most of the time busy in doing non‑nursing activities, which increased their stress levels. Stress management program for the staff nurses working in the emergency services is the need of the hour Table 1: Stress levels impact and its management Subtypes Impact of stress on occupational functioning Mild Moderate Server Coping with stress Help and support from others Try and forget it Others Stress management interventions Health education Exercises Relaxation therapy Others Work setting interventions Information/formal support from colleagues Choice of the work assignment Work mastery Others Individual intervention Demarcation of personal and professional life Extra‑curricular activities To take time for herself Organizational intervention Need of a nursing counselor Reduction in patient/staff ratio Regular meeting between supervisors and senior administrative authorities
No. of subjects (%) 6 (13.95) 27 (62.83) 10 (24.22) 25 (58.13) 6 (13.95) 12 (27.92) 20 (46.5) 9 (20.9) 7 (16.3) 7 (16.3) 29 (67.44) 7 (16.27) 3 (6.97) 4 (9.37) 31 (72.09) 10 (23.25) 2 (4.66) 26 (60.47) 10 (23.25) 7 (16.28)
407
Letter to Editor
in our country. The high job‑related stress levels suggest possible future work in this significant area for the benefit of patient care in emergency unit of a hospital.
REFERENCES 1. 2.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
3.
The authors acknowledge the help and guidance given while preparing this manuscript by the following: Col. Jaydeb Biswas ex Army officer at Command Hospital, Chandimandir, Panchkula. Project submitted for the fulfilment of PGDHHM (post graduate diploma in Hospital and Health Management) by the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.
4. 5.
Gillespie M, Melby V. Burnout among nursing staff in accident and emergency and acute medicine: A comparative study. J Clin Nurs 2003;12:842‑51. Payne N. Occupational stressors and coping as determinants of burnout in female hospice nurses. J Adv Nurs 2001;33:396‑405. Quattrin R, Zanini A, Nascig E, Annunziata M, Calligaris L, Brusaferro S. Level of burnout among nurses working in oncology in an Italian region. Oncol Nurs Forum 2006;33:815‑20. Jenkins R, Elliott P. Stressors, burnout and social support: Nurses in acute mental health settings. J Adv Nurs 2004;48:622‑31. Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Soc Behav 1983;24:385‑96. Access this article online Quick Response Code
Website:
Gurvinder Pal Singh
Department of Psychiatry, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, Ram Nagar, Banur, Rajpura, Chandigarh‑Patiala Highway, Patiala, Punjab, India E‑mail: [email protected]
www.indianjpsychiatry.org
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.120574
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ANNOUNCING MPIT – MRCPSYCH PREPARATION FOR INDIAN TRAINEES MPIT is an unique opportunity to prepare for the MRCPsych Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 and the CASC exams in India. The courses will be taught by experienced psychiatrists and educators from the UK. The courses will be held at SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Kattankulathur, in two sessions in the months of July and September respectively. Psychiatry Post graduate (MD/DNB/DNB) residents and MBBS graduates with two years experience in Psychiatry or DNB Psychiatry, who are eligible to sit for the MRCPsych exams, can apply to attend the courses. The courses will be run in a modular fashion. The comprehensive MPIT program uses a modular format, which will help candidates to prepare in a stepwise manner towards the MRCPsych Papers 1, 2 and 3 and the Clinical CASC exams. Module 1 – Paper 1 Classroom Course, online access to MCQs and EMIs, Core Skills Classroom Course. Candidates Eligible to Apply for MRCPsych Paper 1 Exam can attend this Module. Module 2 – Paper 2 Classroom Course, online access to MCQs and EMIs, Core Skills Classroom Course. Candidates Eligible to Apply for MRCPsych Paper 2 Exam can attend this Module. Module 3 – Paper 3 Classroom Course, online access to MCQs and EMIs, Core Skills Classroom Course. Candidates Eligible to Apply for MRCPsych Paper 3 Exam can attend this Module. Module 4 – CASC Core Skills and Advanced Skills Course, online access to CASC Style Videos. Candidates Eligible to Apply for MRCPsych Paper 3 Exam can attend this Module. Venue: SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Kattankulathur and on-line using an e-learning environment. Accommodation: Provided on cost basis at request, either in SRM Hotel or University Guest House. If more candidates have applied per session, we may have a supplementary session as well, apart from the bi-annual sessions. For more information regarding the fees structure of different module etc Contact: The Pro- Vice Chancellor: [email protected] The Dean: [email protected] Contact No: +91- 99400 36011 Dr. M. Thirunavukarasu: [email protected] Contact No: +91–94440 34647, [email protected] Book your places to attend the modules by visiting: www.srmuniv.ac.in 408
Indian Journal of Psychiatry 55(4), Oct-Dec 2013
Copyright of Indian Journal of Psychiatry is the property of Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
Access this article online Quick Response Code Website: www.indianjpsychiatry.org
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.120572
Job stress among emergency nursing staff: A preliminary study Sir, It is commonly accepted that certain professions, by their very nature, place personnel at risk of experiencing stressful incidents. Recognition is growing that health care professionals, especially emergency unit staffs are at risk for experiencing stressful events.[1] Patient’s suffering and death, uncooperative behavior of the patient, unreasonable demands, conflict with administration and lack of emotional support from team members were seen as potential stressors.[2] Some pilot studies have been conducted in developed countries among staff nurses, working under different stressful situations in hospitals.[1‑4] To the best of the knowledge of the author of the present study, no prior study focusing on this health problem either from general or teaching hospital has been reported from India. The studies conducted in foreign countries may not be relevant to Indian setting. Hence, it was considered important to study this problem in India. A cross‑sectional design was followed and a one‑time assessment of sociodemographic and measurement of stress levels of in staff nurses working in emergency services of a teaching institution was conducted. It was the descriptive, non‑experimental studies in which staff nurses have been interviewed observed and were administered research tools for assessing the stress levels. Staff nurses posted in emergency department constituted 12.9% (n=52) of total staff nurses strength of the hospital. Most of them were in the age group of 26‑30 years (n=30; 69.76%). On self‑estimation scale 65.11% (n=28) of staff nurses had moderate levels of stress. 20.93% (n=9) of staff nurses has severe level of stress. On perceived stress scale,[5] 68.2% (n=29) staff nurses has a moderate level of stress and 12.8% (n=5) has mild level and 19.1% (n=8) has a severe level of stress scores in staff nurses 62.83% (n=27) of the staff nurses reported that their occupational functioning was moderately affected due to stress levels. During the study, 58.13% (n=25) of the study population revealed that they would take help and support from others in coping with stressful situations; 13.95% (n=6) Indian Journal of Psychiatry 55(4), Oct-Dec 2013
of total sample reported that they will try to forget the stressful events. Need of health education (n=20; 46.5%), exercises (n=9; 20.9%), relaxation therapy (n=7; 16.2%) were reported; 72.09% (n=31) of the staff nurses reported that they would prefer demarcation of personal and professional life; 23.25% (n=10) reported that they will try to reduce stress by participating in extracurricular activities; 60.47% (n=26) of the staff nurses revealed a need for nursing counselor [Table 1]. The result of this study showed that work‑related stress is common among emergency nursing staff. In the Emergency Department of a Hospital, the staff nurses are overburdened. Staff nurses were most of the time busy in doing non‑nursing activities, which increased their stress levels. Stress management program for the staff nurses working in the emergency services is the need of the hour Table 1: Stress levels impact and its management Subtypes Impact of stress on occupational functioning Mild Moderate Server Coping with stress Help and support from others Try and forget it Others Stress management interventions Health education Exercises Relaxation therapy Others Work setting interventions Information/formal support from colleagues Choice of the work assignment Work mastery Others Individual intervention Demarcation of personal and professional life Extra‑curricular activities To take time for herself Organizational intervention Need of a nursing counselor Reduction in patient/staff ratio Regular meeting between supervisors and senior administrative authorities
No. of subjects (%) 6 (13.95) 27 (62.83) 10 (24.22) 25 (58.13) 6 (13.95) 12 (27.92) 20 (46.5) 9 (20.9) 7 (16.3) 7 (16.3) 29 (67.44) 7 (16.27) 3 (6.97) 4 (9.37) 31 (72.09) 10 (23.25) 2 (4.66) 26 (60.47) 10 (23.25) 7 (16.28)
407
Letter to Editor
in our country. The high job‑related stress levels suggest possible future work in this significant area for the benefit of patient care in emergency unit of a hospital.
REFERENCES 1. 2.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
3.
The authors acknowledge the help and guidance given while preparing this manuscript by the following: Col. Jaydeb Biswas ex Army officer at Command Hospital, Chandimandir, Panchkula. Project submitted for the fulfilment of PGDHHM (post graduate diploma in Hospital and Health Management) by the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.
4. 5.
Gillespie M, Melby V. Burnout among nursing staff in accident and emergency and acute medicine: A comparative study. J Clin Nurs 2003;12:842‑51. Payne N. Occupational stressors and coping as determinants of burnout in female hospice nurses. J Adv Nurs 2001;33:396‑405. Quattrin R, Zanini A, Nascig E, Annunziata M, Calligaris L, Brusaferro S. Level of burnout among nurses working in oncology in an Italian region. Oncol Nurs Forum 2006;33:815‑20. Jenkins R, Elliott P. Stressors, burnout and social support: Nurses in acute mental health settings. J Adv Nurs 2004;48:622‑31. Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Soc Behav 1983;24:385‑96. Access this article online Quick Response Code
Website:
Gurvinder Pal Singh
Department of Psychiatry, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, Ram Nagar, Banur, Rajpura, Chandigarh‑Patiala Highway, Patiala, Punjab, India E‑mail: [email protected]
www.indianjpsychiatry.org
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.120574
Advertisement
ANNOUNCING MPIT – MRCPSYCH PREPARATION FOR INDIAN TRAINEES MPIT is an unique opportunity to prepare for the MRCPsych Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 and the CASC exams in India. The courses will be taught by experienced psychiatrists and educators from the UK. The courses will be held at SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Kattankulathur, in two sessions in the months of July and September respectively. Psychiatry Post graduate (MD/DNB/DNB) residents and MBBS graduates with two years experience in Psychiatry or DNB Psychiatry, who are eligible to sit for the MRCPsych exams, can apply to attend the courses. The courses will be run in a modular fashion. The comprehensive MPIT program uses a modular format, which will help candidates to prepare in a stepwise manner towards the MRCPsych Papers 1, 2 and 3 and the Clinical CASC exams. Module 1 – Paper 1 Classroom Course, online access to MCQs and EMIs, Core Skills Classroom Course. Candidates Eligible to Apply for MRCPsych Paper 1 Exam can attend this Module. Module 2 – Paper 2 Classroom Course, online access to MCQs and EMIs, Core Skills Classroom Course. Candidates Eligible to Apply for MRCPsych Paper 2 Exam can attend this Module. Module 3 – Paper 3 Classroom Course, online access to MCQs and EMIs, Core Skills Classroom Course. Candidates Eligible to Apply for MRCPsych Paper 3 Exam can attend this Module. Module 4 – CASC Core Skills and Advanced Skills Course, online access to CASC Style Videos. Candidates Eligible to Apply for MRCPsych Paper 3 Exam can attend this Module. Venue: SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Kattankulathur and on-line using an e-learning environment. Accommodation: Provided on cost basis at request, either in SRM Hotel or University Guest House. If more candidates have applied per session, we may have a supplementary session as well, apart from the bi-annual sessions. For more information regarding the fees structure of different module etc Contact: The Pro- Vice Chancellor: [email protected] The Dean: [email protected] Contact No: +91- 99400 36011 Dr. M. Thirunavukarasu: [email protected] Contact No: +91–94440 34647, [email protected] Book your places to attend the modules by visiting: www.srmuniv.ac.in 408
Indian Journal of Psychiatry 55(4), Oct-Dec 2013
Copyright of Indian Journal of Psychiatry is the property of Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
