Work-related behavior and experience of physicians in the third to eighth year of their professional life

Objectives: Epidemiological data show psychosocial health risks for physicians. This study identifies psychosocial health resources and risk factors in profession-related experience and behavior of physicians. Methods: A written survey with the questionnaire,Pattern of work-related coping behavior (AVEM)" and the,Questionnaire for the assessment of dispositional self-awareness (SAM)" was sent to physicians in Schleswig-Holstein, Sudbaden and graduates of the private University of Witten-Herdecke. The response rate of the 1204 physicians addressed was 31.6% (n = 381), of which n = 344 (in the third to eighth year of their professional life) were further analyzed. Results: 39.9% of the physicians showed psychosocial strain patterns with a tendency toward overexertion or resignation. 43.4% showed a reduced working motivation. Only 16.7% showed healthy and motivated behavior and experience patterns. The public self-awareness scores of the study group were higher than in a norm sample. Conclusions: The results show distinct psychosocial strain patterns in physicians. Health promotion and prevention of psychosocial symptoms and impairment therefore appear to be important issues during physicians' education as well as their further training.