Work-related stress among physiotherapists from the musculoskeletal area: An observational study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Stress is a consequence of or a general reaction to an action or situation that leads to physical, psychological or both demands on a person, which can cause major disabilities in different aspects of life. This study verified the presence and stress phase of physiotherapists in the musculoskeletal area, identifying the factors associated with stress. METHOD: Presence and phase of stress were assessed using the Lipp’s Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults, and sociodemographic, work, and subjective data through a structured questionnaire designed by the authors. RESULTS: 91 physiotherapists from 219 presented stress (41.55%). The presence of stress was associated to the workplace (p = 0.006, x2 = 20.01), number of patients per week (p = 0.023, x2 = 7.55), weekly working hours (p = 0.023, x2 = 7.56), and the perception of the work influenced their personal life (p < 0.001, x2 = 14.81). 56.04% of the physiotherapists were in the resistance phase. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the physiotherapists showed signs of stress. Moreover, workplace, number of working hours, number of patients per week and the perception of the influence of work on personal life were important aspects to stress.