Professional stress and the practicing family physician

To investigate the physician stress syndrome among practicing family physicians, we mailed a questionnaire regarding stress, depression, locus of control, social and peer support, and medical practice characteristics to a sample of practicing family physicians. The response rate was 64%. Significant positive correlations were found between perceived stress in medical practice, depression, and external locus of control. Family physicians who reported increased levels of stress also had greater depression and an increased tendency to blame external agents in their environment for personal stress. Decreased levels of perceived stress tended to be associated with higher scores on indices of family and physician-peer support. Family practitioners reported high levels of family and peer support.