Annals of emergency medicine
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Stress is an emergent occupational problem in modern societies. Among workers, medical practitioners are particularly exposed. However, data objectifying stress levels during work time are scarce. The aim of this study was to establish diurnal salivary cortisol levels in a highly stressful work environment, the medical dispatch center of an emergency care unit. ⋯ Our data show that work tasks of emergency medical dispatchers led to a hypersecretion of cortisol. Because the damaging effects of persistent cortisol increases on health and cognitive functions are well recognized in human beings, it seems necessary to rapidly identify stressful work situations and targets for organizational improvements to minimize stress in these situations.