Psychological stress in nursing and medical staff on bone marrow transplant units

There were 129 nurses and 26 doctors from 16 BMT centres in the UK who responded to a mailed survey of their job satisfaction, their psychological difficulties at work, the sources and effects of working stress, and any stress-reducing techniques they found useful. Half were emotionally exhausted, and 80% reported feelings of low personal accomplishment. A significant proportion, particularly medical staff, had marked feelings of depersonalisation. All aspects of job satisfaction were thought to be unsatisfactory (namely professional support or training). Signs of clinical anxiety were seen in >10% of staff, and overt depression was present in 0.8% of nurses and 3.8% of doctors. Emotional burnout developed because of work-related and personality factors. Sources of stress were found in regular work with dying patients, excessive responsibility, rapid advances in transplant technology, and excessive personal demands of patients and families. The majority of staff had experienced difficulties in their personal lives which-were directly linked to stress at work. The implications for both the patients and staff are discussed, and stress management techniques are suggested.