Question

What role do Patients play in reducing the rate at which medical staff get stressed?

Answer 1

Patients do have a major role in reducing or inducing  stress among medical staff /health care workers.Before going to what major role they play in reducing the occupational stress , we should look into some patient related factors that result in stress among health care workers.

1.Staff-patient relationship:this relationship should always be a therapeutic one,and it should be over when the treatment is over and patient is discharged.It shouldn't be a social or intimate one.When the relationship crosses the therapeutic boundary,it may result in stress not only for the staff,also for the patient.

2.Interpersonal conflicts:it is a state of disharmony between people with differing view points,opinions,values or priorities.Conflicts can occur between staff and patient,and conclicts leads to stress.

3.Uncoperative patient:A patient who does not cooperate with the staff, or a restless patient,violent or abusive patient all can result in staff stress.

4.Staff-patient ratio: if this ratio is not adeuately maintained,will result in understaffed and over worked staffs,which directly results in stress.

Role of patient in reducing staff stress

1.Maintain a healthy therapeutic relationship: A healthy therapeutic relationship is based on trust ,respect and a mutual goal of a beneficial change in the client boosts the working environment and reduces the stress of health care worker.

2.Active communication and conflict resolution:There should be effective two way communication between patient and staff. Manage conclicts in a way that solution is acceptable for both parties amnd it reduces the stress.

3.Patient cooperation:This should be achieved through active communication,patient counselling etc. A cooperative patient reduces the stress.

4.Adequate staff-patient ratio:this should be done from the side of management.Always have adequate staffing and working hours. A healthy woorking environment reduces the stress.