Abstract
The present study examined the relationship between perceived stress and work performance among doctors working in clinical settings across India, including government hospitals, private hospitals, and clinics. Doctors frequently operate under demanding conditions involving heavy workloads, long working hours, emotional pressure, and continuous responsibility for patient care, which may affect psychological well-being and professional functioning. A quantitative correlational research design was employed with a sample of 50 doctors selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using offline and online methods and assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and an adapted version of the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ). Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s product-moment correlation were used for data analysis. Most participants reported moderate levels of perceived stress and moderate-to-high levels of work performance. Pearson’s correlation revealed a statistically significant negative relationship between perceived stress and work performance (r = -0.599, p < 0.01), indicating that higher perceived stress was associated with lower work performance in the present sample. These findings highlight the importance of addressing occupational stress and promoting physician well-being through supportive workplace practices and appropriate stress-management interventions.Keywords: Perceived Stress, Work Performance, Doctors, Occupational Stress, Clinical Settings