Objective  To understand the current status of work stress among full-time research staff in public hospitals, analyze the problems in research management, and propose the targeted countermeasures and suggestions.

Methods  In August 2022, the full-time research staff in six public hospitals in Shanghai, chosen by a purposive sampling method, were surveyed with a self-designed Work Stress Source Scale for Full-time Research Staff in Public Hospitals. The work stress status and differences among the above staff with different characteristics were analyzed, and the correlation between the scores in various dimensions was examined.

Results  231 questionnaires were distributed, and 212 valid questionnaires were obtained, with an effective recovery rate of 91.8%. The scores in various dimensions of the scale were as follows: the highest score was (4.02 ± 0.81) for workload pressure, followed by (4.01 ± 0.70) for work difficulty, (3.70 ± 0.81) for assessment pressure, (3.46 ± 0.86) for role ambiguity, and (3.42 ± 0.94) for job recognition. The overall work stress score was (3.72 ± 0.62), and on the overall score of work stress. Staff who had undertaken provincial or ministerial-level research projects had higher stress scores (P < 0.01); the higher the education level, the higher the scores in workload and work difficulty dimensions (both P < 0.01). There were statistically significant differences in the scores of workload and work difficulty dimensions among full-time research staff in different positions (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), with the highest stress levels among research staff. The higher the professional title, the higher the workload dimension score (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the role ambiguity dimension scores among full-time research staff in different departments (P < 0.05), with clinical department staff scoring the highest, followed by staff in central laboratories, both higher than those in research institutes or research parks. Staff who had undertaken provincial or ministerial-level research projects had higher scores in workload, work difficulty, and job recognition dimensions (all P < 0.01). There were positive correlations between scores in various dimensions of the scale (r = 0.348 to 0.613, all P < 0.01).

Conclusions  Full-time research staff in public hospitals experienced significant work stress. Relevant hospital departments should actively take measures to reduce the workload of research staff, reasonably allocate work difficulty, improve job recognition, and alleviate the pressure of role ambiguity.