Work-related instant messaging and calling stress (WRIMCS) among physicians: a novel occupational health risk?

AimTo assess the association between WRIMC and perceived stress among physicians through the lens of 'occupational context' and psycho-physiological stressors as mediators.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Albania in January 2025 including a representative sample of 367 physicians (approximate to 66% females; overall response rate: approximate to 90%). A structured 36-item questionnaire included demographic characteristics, WRIMC exposure and related psycho-physiological stressors and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Multivariable-adjusted ordinal logistic regression was used to assess the direct association between WRIMC-related exposures and PSS scores, whereas mediation analysis was used to assess indirect effects using the perceived impact of work on stress level and psycho-physiological stressors as mediators.ResultsPhysicians had moderate-to-high exposure frequencies to work-related phone usage, instant messages and calling, app-based instant messaging, WRIMC beyond work hours, during vacations or after 22:00 o'clock. WRIMC via apps, irritability due to WRIMC interruptions, guilt over not responding to WRIMC and mental fatigue due to WRIMC were identified as ordinal correlates of perceived stress (beta = 0.48, beta = 0.65, beta = 0.33 and beta = 0.37, respectively). The perceived impact of work served as a partial mediator (beta = 1.07) between WRIMC and PSS scores, though a direct effect of WRIMC on PSS was also observed (beta = 2.57). Physicians' age was a negative covariate in both indirect and direct effects.ConclusionsPhysicians are highly exposed to WRIMC which may be associated with certain psycho-physiological stressors. The perceived occupational stress context of instant messaging and calling might represent a significant pathway beyond technostress per se, which may be interconnected with or distinct from work-related stress.