What are the coping strategies gynaecologists employ to meet with stressful situations?

Objective: To explore the correlation of stress and coping strategies among gynaecologists.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah, Ganga Ram and Mayo Hospitals, Lahore, from 10th January 2014 to 30th June 2014 and comprised gynaecologists at public-sector hospital with work experience ranging from 5 to 30 years. Demographic Information Form, Perceived Stress Scale and Cope Scale were employed to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to express stress and coping strategies.

Results: The mean age of the 200 respondents was 35.6±7.98 years (range: 25-59 years). Their mean experience was 15.5±2.65 years (range: 5 to 27 years). Overall, 52(26%) were experiencing mild stress, 82(41%) moderate stress and 66(33%) severe stress. Significant positive correlation was found of stress with problem-focused coping strategies like active coping, planning, instrumental social support, acceptance and positive reframing (p<0.05 each), and demographic factors like age, marital status, monthly income, working shifts, number of dependents, working hours, nature of job and family system (p<0.05 each)gynaecologist. Active coping, planning, instrumental social support, acceptance and positive reframing (p<0.05 each) were significant predicting strategies of stress. Monthly income, working shifts, working hours and nature of job (p<0.05 each) were significant predictors of stress among gynaecologists.

Conclusions: The findings will contribute to knowledge about coping strategies employed by gynaecologists and variables that predict stress among gynaecologists.