Sobrecarga laboral y su impacto en el estrés en médicos generales de un centro de salud tipo C en la ciudad de Guayaquil - Ecuador.

Abstract

Work overload among physicians is closely associated with high levels of stress, stemming from factors such as extended working hours, high patient demand, and the constant pressure of making critical decisions. These conditions negatively impact both the physical and mental well-being of healthcare professionals and the quality of care delivered. This study, conducted with 17 general practitioners in the emergency department of a Type C Health Center located in the southern area of Guayaquil, Ecuador, aimed to determine the relationship between work overload and stress, in order to propose strategies for preventing psychosocial risks. The research followed quantitative, descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional design, using structured questionnaires as data collection instruments. The findings revealed a direct relationship between work overload and stress, with excessive workload, fast work pace, task complexity, and limited decision-making autonomy identified as the main contributing factors, all of which showed evidence of affecting the health of the physicians evaluated.