Work-related stress among diagnostic radiographers

Abstract

This study sought to determine work-related stress in public sector diagnostic radiographers in a selected dis-trict in KwaZulu-Natal. Data were collected through a cross-sectional descriptive survey using self-administered questionnaires. All public sector diagnostic radiographers in one district participated in the study after ethical approval and informed consents were obtained. The public domain questionnaire was developed by the Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom and sought information in five standards believed to result in stress in healthcare workers. The results showed that radiographers were overworked but their stress emanated from a lack of communication, demands and external controls (p<0.001). Managers created significant stress in the respondents (p<0.001). The other main sources of stress were workload (60%), faulty equipment (54%) and staff shortages (40%). We conclude that stress in diagnostic radiographers as reported by the respondents is depen-dent on external rather than internal loci of control.