STRESS LEVELS IN SENIOR FAMILY PHYSICIANS- A STUDY

   I thought it would be worthwhile to examine the source of stress for Senior Family Physicians in private practice. As I am more concerned with the professionals around me, I planned to study the senior doctors in Western Suburbs of Mumbai.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVES-

To understand the degree and nature of stress affecting Senior Family Physicians working in the Western Suburbs of Mumbai city. I also wish to understand the origins of stress, so that some specific management strategies may be developed.

AIMS- Regarding Senior Family Physicians

1.       To measure the stress levels

2.       To find the source of stress

3.       To find information about demographic data, general health and habits

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sample- I aim for a sample size of 30 doctors. A directory of Family Physicians published by the Indian Medic al Association’s Western Suburb Branch will be consulted to draw up a preliminary list. I will also consult the list of doctors registered with the Maharashtra Medical Council, to add any missing persons. Out of these only following doctors will be selected as subjects:

1.       Have at least 20 years professional experience in private practice

2.       Spend majority of their time working in the Western Suburbs of Mumbai city

3.       Are less than 60 years old. As I wish to minimise the medically unfit doctors

4.       Irrespective of qualifications, only those who are engaged in mainly family practice

A written, informed consent will be obtained and the questionnaires given to the doctor. The doctor will be left alone to answer the queries. Upon receiving back the proforma, they will be filed away without reading to ensure maximum anonymity of data. No advice or intervention will be provided to the doctors.

Instruments-

Following:

1.       Personal data questionnaire- I have developed it to collect data about Demographic profile, Health status and lifestyle

2.       Perceived stress scale- downloaded from internet. It has been used earlier in population of doctors

3.       Source of stress questionnaire- I have modified it to suit Indian conditions and language

STEPS OF STUDY

1.       Make a list of doctors

2.       Contact and take consent for participation in study

3.       Issue questionnaires

4.       Leave counterfoil with the doctor

5.       File away completed instruments

6.       Enter data

7.       Analyse

8.       Compare with existing data and explain the results

9.       Derive conclusions

10.   Suggest remedies

LIMITATIONS

It seems from my introduction that stress levels have become unmanageable only now. It may not be so. Other than stress, the reason for dwindling numbers of persons opting for medicine may be the availability of better options now

I want to exclude those doctors for whom health problems may be overwhelming. Hence, I have excluded the very senior doctors. However, the age of ‘60’ is only arbitrary and not based on any data

As I am a part of the same community I have an advantage that many doctors will trust me and cooperate. Hesitation to share personal data may also happen due to familiarity.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

This study is not sponsored by anybody