OBJECTIVES: This study looked into the relationship between stress and the level of job satisfaction among the Burnt Unit staff of UP-PGH. Emphasis was placed in identifying the common stressors that the Burn Unit Staff of UP-PGH experience as a result of their day to day work in a critical care setting.The level of job satisfaction among staff was also determined.
METHODOLOGY: Questionnaires assessing stress and job satisfaction were handed out to all the 31 participants of the study. The study population included 10 doctors and 21 nurses who had worked at the Burn Unit during the period of March to September 2007. Odds ratios were computed to determine if the presence of stress affects the level of job satisfaction among the Burn Unit Staff of UP-PGH. The resulting odds ratios were further tested for statistical significance using Fisher exact test and confidence limits.
RESULTS: Of the 31 survey forms initially handed out to the Burn Unit staff, only 28 forms were completed and returned to the investigator at the end of the study period. Two items in the Stressful Situations Questionnaire were rated to be "stressful" by majority (>50%) of the respondents. Twenty-five percent of the respondents obtained positive scores in the Job Dissatisfaction Scale and were classified as being "dissatisfied" with their jobs. Twenty-two situations in the Stressful Situations Questionnaire were found to be significantly associated with job dissatisfaction among the Burn Unit staff of UP-PGH. These situations concerned the following areas: relationship with patients, family rejection, identification with the patient, deterioration and complications, job criticism, workspace, daily work, and therapeutic decisions.
CONCLUSIONS: From the results of the study, recommendations were made to promote a system of stress-reduction for the Burn Unit staff. Regular group psychosocial processing sessions can be provided to allow the staff to ventilate their thoughts and feelings regarding personal and professional concerns. Team building activities for the staff can likewise be scheduled regularly to help solidify the group and resolve interpersonal conflicts among them. Future researchers could explore if a difference exists between the nurses and surgery residents in terms of their perceived stressors and their level of job satisfaction with their work in the Burn Unit.