Estressors and symptoms of stress lived by health workers in a surgical center

Abstract

The research identifies stressors and stress symptoms lived by health workers in a surgical center. It is a qualitative study, descriptive, exploratory, with the participation of twenty-nine workers. For the collection of data we used semi-structured interviews and field diaries. The analysis of the statements resulted in an analysis category: "Recognizing stressors and stress symptoms in workers at a surgical center". The stressors result from relationships, the lack of or insufficient materials, equipment, personnel, allied to administrative-managerial aspects, qualification of the team, surgical demands and the patient's condition. The physical symptoms include pain, headache, high cardiac frequencies, diarrhea, fatigue, hypertension, perspiration; the psychological symptoms reported were: impotence, rage, hate, bad mood, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, and discomfort, fear of patient's death, mental fatigue, and anguish, among others. The results can bring about reflections and actions to reduce stressors and effective strategies to deal with stress in the workplace.