[Doctors' strike 2006: psychological and physical distress of striking doctors]

From March to June 2006 doctors at university hospitals in Germany went on strike. As they are part of the caring profession, doctors are exposed to extraordinary moral misgivings and ethical conflicts when it comes to striking. Against this background this study investigated for the first time effects of walkout on working relations, individual capacity and mental symptoms among striking doctors.

In a cross-sectional study 42 female and 64 male doctors, average age 33.6 years, at the Tübingen University Hospitals Center were surveyed by questionnaire at the climax of the walkout. They were asked about changes in working relations with superiors and fellow colleagues, their physical and mental burden and symptoms of depression or aggressiveness (modified Symptom Checklist SCL-90-R).

54.8 % of those interviewed described the contact with their superiors during the strike as having been more difficult. This was most notable for doctors in surgical disciplines. 85.5 % thought that solidarity among fellow colleagues had improved. 47.2 % found their mental coping ability and 25.5% their physical capacity to have decreased. Surgeons and female doctors felt most affected. A higher level of aggressiveness was measured in 36 % and 13.6 % showed low-grade depressive symptoms.

This study has demonstrated remarkable changes in working relations and individual capacity during the walkout. Solidarity among doctors of at a corresponding hierarchical (peer) level was noted to have risen, while contact with superiors had become more difficult. A higher level of aggressiveness and lower mental capacity may stem from psychological conflicts arising in strike situations. The burden of the strike is higher in those doctors working in surgical disciplines. It is likely that effects of strike-related changes extend beyond the walkout period. These should be investigated in future studies.