COST OF WORKING IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS: STRESS IMPACT ON EMPATHY AND WORK ABILITY OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Health care is very stressful profession with number of risks. Stress at work is overall present but in some departments more than other, especially in intensive care units. Assessing working conditions of 100 healthcare professionals regarding stress impact on empathy and work ability was the primary goal of this study. Survey was conducted in order to identify differences between work in intensive care units and other clinical departments all related to empathy, work ability and stress perceiving. In research group of intensive care units, lower empathy quotients, poorer work ability and different stressors were registered compared to research group other departments. Regarding influence of gender, females had better work ability in both groups but in a group of intensive care units males were more empathetic. Main conclusion of study states different dynamic in working environment of intensive care units compared to other departments that could potentially have negative effect on personal capacity of healthcare professionals.