Professional burnout among Spanish medical oncologists

Workplace-related stress among oncologists: Egyptian single-centered observational study

Background

The oncologists are facing more challenges than ever before in their work with cancer patients. The aim of the study is to assess the level of work-related stress among oncology clinicians and to compare it with non-oncologists. Thirty oncologists working at clinical oncology department at Menoufia University hospitals, Egypt, were compared to an equal number of non-oncologists matched for the same gender and work duration. After consent, all the participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to collect background information and the workplace stress scale (WSS) was used to ascertain their stress level.

Results

The percentage distribution of different grades of WSS among the two groups did not show any significant difference (P = 0.84). Gender had no significant association to the mean score of WSS (P > 0.05). All the juniors (residents) in this study with work duration ≤ 3 years had significantly higher levels of WSS than seniors (> 3 years), P < 0.001. Among oncologists or non-oncologists, juniors showed significantly higher levels of WSS than seniors (P = 0.003 and < 0.001 respectively). However, junior oncologists had no significant difference than junior non-oncologists and seniors in both groups did not show any significant difference regarding the mean score of WSS.

Conclusion

All the workers within the two groups had experienced work-related stress. However, there was no statistically significant difference among them regarding the different grades of work place stress scale.

Physiotherapist's work at the Oncological Ward - stress and professional burnout

Introduction: There are now more and more cases of malignant tumors. This is a problem that can affect anyone − from a baby to the elderly. The direct burden is on the patient and his/her immediate surroundings, however, all medical staff are involved in therapy, and are committed to doing everything to improve the condition of a patient. In the treatment process, the role of physiotherapy is essential and its effectiveness has been demonstrated by a number of scientifi c studies. Due to the large number of hours spent with the patient, therapists may be exposed to the negative effects of working in such a demanding ward. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the subjective perception of physiotherapists work at Oncological Wards on stress and burnout. Material and Methods: The diagnostic survey method was used via a questionnaire. Data from 60 physiotherapists were analysed statistically. Results: Most defi ne work as stressful and mentally demanding. Nearly half of respondents believe that they are not at risk of professional burnout. Work in this ward is chosen for various reasons, which is refl ected in the feeling of mental strain. Conclusions: Working in the Oncology Ward creates the risk of stress and burnout in medical staff. oncological physiotherapy, professional burnout, stress, oncological ward

A medical oncologist's perspective on communication skills and burnout syndrome with psycho-oncological approach (to die with each patient one more time: the fate of the oncologists)

The increasing incidence of cancer is at the same time one of the leading causes of death all over the world. Many clinical studies show that the psychological disorders are more frequent in cancer patients than the normal population. That is the reason why "psycho-oncology" is getting popular each day. On the other hand, clinical studies about psychological status of the oncologists who are in contact with cancer patients ceaselessly and who are mostly responsible to give the "bad news" to the cancer patients are very limited. In fact, if the clinical studies which show that the frequency of depression and burnout syndrome are increasing among physicians are taken into consideration, one can say that psycho-oncology must cover all the medical personnel who are dealing with cancer patients. It is determined that the rate of depression and burnout syndrome is high among oncologists when referred to the literature. Several solutions are proposed for the psychological conditions of the oncologists and other related personnel who empathize with the patients and deliver "bad news" and also try to adopt ideal "patient-physician" communication model. The knowledge on the psychological conditions of oncology professionals and their behaviour and the results of the clinical studies on this subject will be discussed and the personal opinion will also be presented in this paper.

Work related stress among gynecologic oncologists

OBJECTIVE

Up to one third of oncologists experience burnout. The objective was to determine correlates of work related stress in gynecologic oncologists (GOs).

METHODS

Using an online tool, we surveyed 273 members of the International Gynecologic Cancer (IGCS) Society (60% from North America) to examine demographic, psychological and spiritual correlates of work related stress (WRS) and burnout. Measures of death anxiety (DA) and locus of control (LOC) were also administered.

RESULTS

WRS did not correlate with religion, religiosity, race, or gender, but did correlate with DA (r=0.23, p=0.0006). WRS was also associated with younger age (p=0.01) and fewer years out of training (p=0.0286), higher scores on LOC Chance (r=0.18, p=0.007), higher scores on Powerful Other (r=0.30, p<0.0001), and lower scores on LOC Internality (r=-0.30, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Responses from younger and less experienced GOs, correlate with higher WRS scores especially if their LOC is weighted toward chance and powerful others. Responses of GO's with these two characteristics also correlate with higher DA scores and reports of difficulty talking about death.