• T A Hutchinson, S Haase, S French, and T A McFarlane.
• Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies. traceyann_nh@outlook.com.
• W Indian Med J. 2014 Jun 1; 63 (3): 262-6.

ObjectivesThe study examined the prevalence of stress, burnout, and coping, and the relationship between these variables among emergency physicians at a teaching hospital in Kingston, Jamaica.MethodsThirty out of 41 physicians in the Emergency Department completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, and a background questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted.ResultsFifty per cent of study participants scored highly on emotional exhaustion; the scores of 53.3% also indicated that they were highly stressed. Stress correlated significantly with the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization components of burnout. Depersonalization was significantly correlated with two coping strategies: escape-avoidance and accepting responsibility; emotional exhaustion was also significantly correlated with escape-avoidance.ConclusionEmergency physicians at the hospital scored high on stress and components of burnout. Interventions aimed at reducing the occupational contributors to stress and improving levels of coping will reduce the risk of burnout and enhance psychological well-being among emergency physicians.

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