Background Psychological stress is well documented in workplace and widely present among the health care professionals considering the kind of work involved. Stress among this group impedes level of functioning and interferes with treatment of patients increasing

the healthcare costs.

Aims

To assess psychological morbidity among medical health professionals

To assess relation of  psychological morbidity with lifestyle factors

Methodology

A proforma for socio–demographic details, consent and clinical data sheet for assessing lifestyle factors associated with stress was given to medical staff in different departments of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi. Psychological morbidity was assessed using General Health Questionnaire– 28. GHQ–28 score > 4 amounts to ‘caseness’. GHQ–28 scores and its relation with lifestyle factors was assessed.

Results

Caseness was reported in 46% of medical health professionals. Maximum psychological morbidity was reported among physicians 48%.  Factors like increased stress at work,substance use and greater number of working hours were associated with psychological morbidity.

Conclusion

Periodic check up of health professionals both physical and mental is essential to provide quality health care to the community