Introduction: Stress is emotional, mental, physical and behavioural answer of an individual to internal or external stress stimulus (stressor). Stressors are all factors that cause stress reaction (event, person, unpleasant news, object, condition, etc.) and the short-term collapse of an individual inner balance. Collapse is followed by a stress reaction that differs depending on individual characteristics, experience, knowledge, circumstances, environment, and attitude. At the workplace, people encounter stress (workplace stress) related to their role in an organisation. It is defined as an emotional condition that happens because of the difference between workplace demands and the individual’s capacity to cope with stress. Radiological engineers (REs) are one group of healthcare workers that are subject to workplace stress. Among predominant stressors we find extended working hours, working shifts, high workload, directing staff and interpersonal relations. Aim: The aim of this research is to define stress and its correlated factors and find out which stressors are present among REs in relation to their workplace. Methods: First, we present a theoretical background: what is stress, which stressors are known, workplace stress, symptoms, consequences, and coping mechanisms. 450 REs received a questionnaire that covers a variety of workplace stressors, which conditions affect stress, how frequently REs notice stress and to what extent they use coping mechanisms. The online survey was available on the website 1ka and the results were analysed using IBM SPSS program. The obtained data were compared with already existing research. Results: 236 REs completed the survey (52, 4 % responsiveness). Interpersonal relations and directing staff cause the highest level of stress, while the most important stressor is a conflict with supervisor (3,38). REs that work in a field of radiotherapy notice the most stress. There is no difference between a healthcare activity in relation to levels of noticed stress. We could not find any statistically significant differences in perceived stress in relation to gender or age (p<0,05). Pearson’s correlation shows that REs that asses their relationship with co-workers and supervisors as good perceive lower levels of stress. Additionally, the same results are present with REs that are satisfied because they work in a multidisciplinary team (p<0,05). Teaching new staff has a positive correlation with workplace stress development. Unnecessary radiological procedures, along with unclear roles, have no effect on the development of stress behaviour (p>0,05). However, the conflict between roles has a major effect (p<0,05) in association with stress occurrence. The most frequent method for reducing symptoms of stress are caring for one’s health and physical appearance (3,77), followed by socializing (3,69). It proved that communication with patients and on-call duty (p<0,05) are important workload. Most of REs think that workplace’s physical conditions could be improved. Discussion and conclusion: The results show that REs notice a variety of stressor at their workplace. The most important are related to interpersonal relations. Further research should include analysis of stress within particular fields of radiological technology (diagnostically-intervention radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy) that would help to clarify workplace stress.
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