Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Prevalence of Stress amongst post graduate residents by using DASS-21 and Perceived Stress Scale: a cross sectional study at a tertiary care centre

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Vanshree A. Kamble1 , Satish K. Wadde2 , Ajit S. Nagaonkar3

Abstract

Introduction: Medical Profession is unique and challenging than any other profession in the world. It gives both great degree of professional and personal satisfaction. But the post graduate residents have to face many stressors by considering various roles & responsibilities in personal and professional life. They usually have to work for many long hours, face various clinical emergencies and academic or research work during their training period. These factors are responsible to develop stress and psychological disorders. If this long-term stress left unattended can lead to psychiatric disorder like anxiety, depression and even suicide. Objective: To study the prevalence of stress amongst post graduate residents by using DASS-21 and Perceived Stress Scale. Methodology: Present cross-sectional study was conducted among all post graduate residents in Government Medical College, Latur. Residents were called and asked for free time. After taking consent from them a predesigned questionnaire was provided and asked to fill themselves and return it to the principal investigator. The questionnaire included identification data, possible factors aggravating stress. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) customized for stress related questions only was used to assess the stress. Result: Majority of study participant belong to 24 to 29 years of age. 32.72% of PG residents were suffered from mild to extremely severe degree stress as per DASS-21 scale and 56.36% were included in moderate level of stress as per PSS scale. Conclusion: Stress does affect physical and mental health. Academic & psychological were the leading causes of stress. Various preventive measures such as improving time management, coping skills to optimize the balance between professional and social commitment, fixed duty hours, better living facilities in hostel and good quality of food in mess would go a long way to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of these young doctors.

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