House officer stress syndrome

A stress response syndrome prevalent among physicians in training, the house officer stress syndrome, is described, usually in a benign form, but may also suffer from major depression, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse.

Abstract

The author describes a stress response syndrome prevalent among physicians in training, the house officer stress syndrome. Episodic cognitive impairment, chronic anger, pervasive cynicism, and family discord occur in nearly all cases, usually in a benign form. Severely affected house officers, however, may also suffer from major depression, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. Possible contributing stresses include sleep deprivation, excessive work load, patient care responsibility, perpetually changing work conditions, and competition. Approaches to prevention and management of the malignant form of the syn drome include improved work conditions, increased group responsibility, and psychiatric referral.