ABSTRACT
An action-oriented research project on job stress was undertaken in some Australian hospitals and in government departments. Stress levels were measured, and doctors, nurses and administrators were interviewed to see whether modification of the organizational environment was needed in high stress jobs. Results showed that stress levels were high in a number of work situations, and modifications were made to the environment. Stress levels for both resident medical officers and nurses exceeded stress levels recorded for hospital administrators and public servants. The Public Service Board (PSB) is responsible by law for 'ensuring the continuance of a proper standard of efficiency and economy' in a number of state government departments. Administrative and clerical officers in a number of government departments were selected as examples of people in jobs in which, theoretically at least, they need only be intellectually involved. In order to check the impressions of resident medical officers against those of their superiors, a number of medical superintendents were interviewed.
