White collar stress: what studies of physicians can teach us.

The impact of occupational stress on physicians and their medical practice has been subject to much debate but relatively little research. This paper reviews some recent studies concerning the psychosocial work environment of physicians. Psychiatric and cardiovascular epidemiologic data indicate that physicians are at similar or enhanced risk to socioeconomically comparative groups. Clinical studies of physicians reveal associations between psychosocial work characteristics and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Further work is needed to enhance our understanding of the implication of present work environments on the health and well-being of physicians as well as other health care workers.