Workplace stress in the ED
Workplace stress is prevalent in hospital emergency departments despite nursing and medical staff, who use a range of coping strategies, generally perceiving the working environment positively.
These are some of the outcomes of a collaborative study undertaken between Griffith University, University of the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast Health, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service and Göteborgs Universitet.
The study, which was funded by the Emergency Medicine Foundation, surveyed 150 clinical emergency staff from two Sunshine Coast hospitals.
“We found that even people that have been in their positions for a long time, still find the environment stressful,” says Research Fellow Dr Amy Johnston from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ) and Gold Coast Health.
“The staff stressors and coping strategies were found to be similar across EDs and professional roles. This research provides foundational evidence to inform and support strategies for staff within EDs. These strategies need to consider individual and organisational approaches to ensure professional longevity.”
The research team’s next step is to develop system-based solutions.
Thanks to Queensland Health for funding EMF’s Queensland research program as well as Griffith University for co-funding this study.
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