[Psychological stressors, resources and well-being of surgeons in Germany : A cross-sectional study]

Background: Psychological stress at work is associated with detrimental and health-impairing consequences for employees.

Objective: In this study major stress factors and the resource job control at the workplace of surgeons and facets of mental health were examined and compared to benchmark results of a large reference sample.

Method: Data were collected by a representative online survey among surgeons throughout Germany who were contacted via the Professional Association of German Surgeons. In total 643 surgeons from different organizations and different disciplines completed the questionnaire that was developed using well-validated instruments.

Results: Time pressure was the most meaningful stress factor for surgeons. Moreover, the results for medical assistants showed adverse stress combinations of high goal uncertainty and low job control as well as high emotional exhaustion and low job satisfaction. In addition, the results indicated that surgeons in single and group practices as well as in outpatient healthcare centers have less stressors and more job resources.

Conclusion: The survey results suggest high levels of burnout risk for German surgeons, especially among medical assistants and medical specialists from large hospitals. In order to maintain a high quality in the surgical disciplines, a concerted effort by all players in the healthcare system is necessary.