BACKGROUND: Occupational stress and its related psychological strain is a concern among resident doctors that may affect patient care adversely. Residents face many stresses because of their high job demands in delivery of hospital care. They are often subject to work load and pressure due to direct involvement with patients, prolonged working hours, poor job opportunities and low support. Their multiple educational and clinical roles can also affect their performance and quality of personal or professional life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occupational stress among residents of various medical specialties. We aimed to explore the reasons of occupational stress in residents’ life and determine how we can enhance the stress-coping strategies and create more suitable conditions. METHODS: This cross-sectional analytical-descriptive study was conducted on all medical residents with various specialties in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Data was collected using Osipow occupational stress questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software version 17. RESULTS: The response rate was 88.8%. The average stress score of all residents was 156.35 out of 250. The highest and lowest average stress scores belonged to gynecology and dermatology specialties, respectively. The highest average score of the stress factors was related to the workload with the score of 35.09 of 50 (moderate to severe stress). The total stress score had a significant relationship with age (P = 0.030) and sex (P = 0.009) as well as lack of time to get the needed healthy meals (P = 0.047), high work hours (P < 0.01), surgical specialties (P < 0.01) and on call shift (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Since most of the stressors were related to the workload, interventions such workload reduction, education about occupational stress and its management, promoting interpersonal relations and more supportive measures are recommended.
Dermatology ; Education ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Interpersonal Relations ; Meals ; Occupations ; Patient Care ; Specialties, Surgical

BACKGROUND: Shivering related to spinal anesthesia may interfere with monitoring and is uncomfortable. The aim of the present study was to investigate low-dose intrathecal meperidine for the prevention of shivering after induction of spinal anesthesia in parturients with cesarean section. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial including 100 parturients, of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II, scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia who were randomly assigned to a meperidine (0.2 mg/kg) plus hyperbaric lidocaine (5%, 75 mg, n = 50; group M) group or a placebo plus hyperbaric lidocaine (5%, 75 mg, n = 50; group L) group. Demographic and surgical data, adverse events, and the mean intensity for each parturient were assessed during the entire study period by a blinded observer. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two study groups regarding the demographic and surgical data (P > 0.05). The incidence of shivering during the entire study period significantly decreased in the group of parturients who received intrathecal meperidine (P = 0.04). There were no significant differences in nausea and vomiting between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose intrathecal meperidine (10 mg) is safe and effective in reducing the incidence and severity of shivering associated with spinal anesthesia in parturients with cesarean section.
Anesthesia, Spinal ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Incidence ; Lidocaine ; Meperidine ; Nausea ; Pregnancy ; Prospective Studies ; Shivering ; Vomiting