(I92) Mental Stress Management of Medical Staff in an International Medical Cooperation

Abstract

Introduction:

Mental stress management of medical staff in an international medical cooperation (IMC) is important for effective activities.

Methods:

The authors examined the mental stress of of IMC medical staff that was experienced throughout three activity periods. The activity periods included: (1) “Period A”, from decision-to-participate to arrival in the field; (2) “Period B”, from arrival in the field to before going back home; and (3) “Period C”, after going back home to three months after going back home. Self-administered questionnaires were used to examine the type of mental care preferred by staff. Participants were 154 medical staff members who worked in a past IMC. The data of 89 medical staff members were analyzed. The period of data collection was between August 2007 and November 2008.

Results:

The results clarified that 66 (74.1%) staff felt stress during Period A, 69 (77.5%) during Period B, and 47 (52.8%) during Period C. Main stress factors during Period A included “difficulty of gathering information”, “schedule coordination”, and “rapid environmental changes”; In Period B, “ambiguity of information”, “unexpected circumstances”, and “human relationship”; and in Period C, “lots of works after return to the hospital”, “prepare the activities report”, and “lack of taking vacation after IMC”.

Conclusions:

Stress levels and factors gradually changed during activity periods in IMC activities. It is important to establish effective mental stress management systems for the future success of IMCs.