Perceived stress in primary care physicians and the quality of life

Perceived Stress in Primary Care Physicians and the Quality of LifeBackground: The aim of this study was to identify the perceived stress and its effect on the quality of life in primary care physicians in Adana city center.Methods: The study was conducted from 1 June 2011 to 1 June 2012. The sample was all primary care physicians working in Adana city center (n=217). Data was collected using sociodemographic questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale and Professional Quality of Life Scale. Questionnaires were sent and collected by the web-based survey. The participants were sent invitations and information to participate the study and they were also sent internet access addresses and their personal passwords for the web-based survey.. Data was analyzed using SPSS for Windows 18.0 statistical pocket program, Pearson chi-square and Kolmogorov-Simirnov tests were used.Results: Response rate was 46.8% (n=217), of which 76.5% (n=166) were male and 23.5% (n=51) were female. Of participants, 4.6% (n=10) were family physician specialists and 95.4% (n=207) were general practitioners (without specialization training). Of participants, 45.7% (n=85) had 21-30 points in Perceived Stress Scale, 47.8% (n=97) had 21-30points in Burnout Scale and 42.2% (n=86) had 21-30 points in Compassion Satisfaction Scale. In addition, 52.8% (n=104) had 11-20 points in Trauma/Compassion Fatigue Scale subscale. There was a significant relationship between perceived stress and quality of life of primary care physicians and gender, age, marital status, being a family medicine specialist, income level, being on on-call, years of working as a physician, daily hours working as a physician and the physical conditions of the work place.Conclusion: In this study it was found that primary care physicians had a moderate level of perceived stress and quality of life and increase in perceived stress has a negative impact on the quality of life.Key Words:Perceived stress, quality of life, Perceived Stress Scale, Professional Quality of Life Scale, primary care, family physician.