Psychosocial Factors That Influence Occupational Stress in Operating Room Nurses' Working Environment: A Scoping...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Occupational Health
• Psychosocial Factors

Background:

• Operating room nurses face complex demands affecting patient safety and interprofessional collaboration.
• Psychosocial factors like workload and time pressures contribute to occupational stress in this high-demand environment.
• Previous reviews have not specifically addressed psychosocial factors impacting operating room nurses' occupational stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review mapping research on psychosocial factors influencing occupational stress in operating room nurses.
• To identify existing knowledge gaps and inform future research directions in this area.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O'Malley framework.
• Searches were performed across CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science until October 11, 2024.
• Included studies were peer-reviewed, in English or Scandinavian languages, focusing on psychosocial factors and occupational stress in operating room nurses, using various research designs.

Main Results:

• Data from 36 papers were categorized into interprofessional, work-related, and personal factors influencing occupational stress.
• Key psychosocial stressors identified include interprofessional challenges, high workload, and work-related moral distress.
• Patient care complexities and safety concerns were significant contributors to stress among operating room nurses.

Conclusions:

• Interprofessional dynamics and workload are primary psychosocial contributors to operating room nurse stress.
• Moral distress related to patient care and safety significantly impacts occupational stress.
• Effective leadership, enhanced team collaboration, and targeted support interventions are crucial for managing nurse stress.