Lifestyle and Job-Related Factors Associated with Sleep Quality: Gender-Specific Insights from Taiwanese Hospital Physicians.

Abstract

Background: Poor sleep in physicians is a major concern, affecting their physical and psychological well-being and increasing the risk of medical errors. In this cross-sectional study, we explored gender-specific differences in factors associated with sleep quality in physicians.

Participants and methods: Self-report questionnaires were distributed to 401 hospital physicians in Taiwan. Statistical analyses-Student's t test, Pearson's correlation test, and multivariate linear regression-were conducted to identify factors associated with sleep quality. Subgroup analyses were also conducted to analyze gender-specific differences in sleep quality and its related factors.

Results: Of a total of 189 physicians, approximately 40% reported poor sleep quality, with no significant gender-specific differences. Multivariate analysis revealed that unhealthy dietary habits (β = 0.39, p = 0.02) and a lack of regular exercise (β = -0.52, p = 0.04) were significantly associated with poor sleep quality in the female physicians. By contrast, higher job demands were significantly associated with poorer sleep quality in the male physicians (β = 0.16, p = 0.03).

Conclusion: In physicians, sleep quality is influenced by gender-specific factors. To enhance sleep quality, male physicians should focus on reducing their workload, and female physicians should prioritize improving their dietary and exercise habits. To achieve these goals, we recommend implementing gender-sensitive strategies involving flexible scheduling and workload management to reduce job demands for male physicians. We also recommend providing on-site healthy meal options and establishing exercise facilities to promote healthier lifestyle habits for female physicians. In addition, we recommend developing sleep hygiene education and mentorship programs to support work-life balance and aid stress management tailored to gender-specific needs. These strategies could help enhance the sleep quality of physicians, potentially improving their well-being and patient care quality.