Workplace stress, common mental disorder and suicidal ideation in junior doctors.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Doctors-in-training report elevated rates of mental disorders and high levels of stress. Whilst a number of work-related sources of stress have been identified in the medical profession, it remains unclear as to the relative importance of workplace stressors for mental ill-health in junior doctors. AIMS: To examine workplace stressors reported by junior doctors and identify variables associated with adverse mental health outcomes. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of national 2013 survey of Australian doctors focussing on junior medical officers (N = 3053; 24.9% of total sample). Primary outcomes were caseness of common mental disorder (CMD) and suicidal ideation in the past year. RESULTS: Perceived level of conflict between study/career and family/personal responsibility (OR = 3.76, 95% CI 2.61-5.43; P < 0.01) and sleep deprivation (OR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.46-3.28; P < 0.01) were significantly associated with CMD, while perceived level of conflict between study/career and family/personal responsibility (OR = 3.13, 95% CI 1.78-5.50; P < 0.01) and bullying (OR = 2.92, 95% CI 1.42-6.03; P < 0.01) were most strongly associated with suicidal ideation in adjusted models. CONCLUSION: This study identifies modifiable workplace variables that are influential in junior doctors' mental health, and in doing so, provides meaningful evidence-informed targets for future interventions to prevent suicide and mental disorder in this population.