ABSTRACT
Objective:
to verify the relationship between the degree of complexity of patient care, stress level and coping in nursing professionals in adult hospitalization units of a university hospital in Porto Alegre.
Method:
quantitative cross-sectional study, developed in three clinical hospitalization units, totaling 89 nursing professionals, of which 28 (31.5%) were nurses and 61 (68.5%) were nursing auxiliaries and/or technicians. The degree of complexity of patient care was obtained through the Perroca Patient Classification System instrument. The evaluation of stress and coping levels was performed through the Nursing Stress Inventory and Coping at Work Response Inventory instruments.
Results:
when comparing the levels of complexity of the semi-intensive and intensive care among the units, it was found that unit B presented higher values than A and C, being that these presented similar degrees (p<0.001). Both in relation to the total stress level (p=0.180) and the use of coping strategies (p=0.315), there was no difference between the professional categories. When comparing the stress level according to the work unit, it was observed that the professionals of unit B had higher levels of stress (2.87±0.66, p=0.030). When evaluated on the use of coping strategies, unit B showed no difference in the total score compared to the other two units.
Conclusion:
the professionals who provided cared to patients with a higher degree of care complexity were exposed to the highest stress level.
DESCRIPTORS:
Nursing team; Stress; Workload; Occupational health; Psychological adaptation