Relationship between work stress and working hours of resident physicians at a second level hospital in the city of Riobamba

Abstract

Introduction: Stress is one of the leading causes of illness and disability worldwide, with multiple origins such as work demands and family conflicts. In the healthcare field, medical residents represent a particularly vulnerable population due to prolonged working hours and high emotional burden.

Objective: To determine the influence of working hours on stress levels among medical residents at the IESS Hospital, a secondary-level healthcare center located in Riobamba, Ecuador.

Methods: A quantitative approach was applied, using a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and field-based design. The study included a census sample of 127 medical residents in 2023. Data collection was carried out using the “Working Conditions and Health in Latin America” questionnaire and the “GHQ-12” instrument to assess distress. Descriptive techniques and multivariable models were used for data analysis.

Results: The findings revealed a high prevalence of stress among the study population. Working time was the only variable that showed a statistically significant relationship with physical manifestations of stress (P=0,023; Crude OR=1,76; Adjusted OR=2,12). Although other variables were not statistically significant, percentage analysis indicated that residents aged 25–29 and those over 40 were the most affected. No significant gender differences were observed.

Conclusions: The results highlight the need to review the working conditions of medical residents, particularly regarding the duration of work shifts.