Advances in Medical Education and Practice (Oct 2020)
Assessment of Occupational Stress Among Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Residents in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Mohammed Alkindi,1 Osama Alghamdi,1 Hourya Alnofaie,2,3 Ziyad AlHammad,4 Mohammed Badwelan,1 Sahar Albarakati5 1Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Division, Basic Dental Sciences Department, College of Dentistry, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Saudi Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mohammed AlkindiOral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, P.O. Box 60169, Riyadh 11545, Saudi ArabiaTel +966(1)4698417Email [email protected]: Considering the important role of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in healthcare services and the stressful nature of their job, this study aimed to assess the occupational stress among oral and maxillofacial surgeons and residents in Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaires were developed, and they included the perceived stress scale and questions about potential sources of stress. A sample size of 180 was determined using a 0.05 level of significance and a precision of ± 8%. The survey was distributed using a consecutive non-random sampling method to all oral and maxillofacial surgeons and residents in all regions in Saudi Arabia from May to December 2019.Results: One hundred and seventy-two responses were received. Males were the predominant gender. The perceived stress scale revealed a moderate stress level among surgeons and residents. However, residents had a significantly higher score (P = 0.005). Increased working days were significantly associated with higher stress levels (P = 0.006). Long on-call periods were significantly and positively correlated with increased stress levels among residents since their work schedule was not flexible (P = 0.000). The majority of surgeons and residents believe that they have unconducive and stressful work environments and that working as a maxillofacial surgeon is stressful.Conclusion: The study results suggest that there is increased occupational stress among oral and maxillofacial surgeons and residents in Saudi Arabia. This study highlights the need for stress management programs to minimize stress factors at the workplace and to ensure a healthy working environment for the practitioners.Keywords: stress, burnout, oral and maxillofacial surgery, surgeons, residents, Saudi Arabia
