Prevalence of burnout, depression and job satisfaction among French senior and resident radiation oncologists

Determining Residents' Concerns About Staying Up to Date: Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology-Young Radiation Oncologists' Cross-Sectional National Survey (TROD/GROG 007)

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify the concerns and needs of radiation oncology residents in Turkey regarding their efforts to stay current with advancements in this highly competitive discipline.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional anonymous survey of 20 questions was designed by the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology (TROD)-Young Radiation Oncologists Group (GROG) and distributed to radiation oncology residents across Turkey. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive analyses to identify common themes and specific needs and stratified according to junior and senior residents. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Statistics 21.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL).

RESULTS

Sixty-four residents participated in the survey, with an overall response rate of 20%. The majority of participants, 55 (85.9%), had a regular training program in their clinic. However, only 28 (51%) felt that this program was sufficient to stay up to date. Consequently, almost all participants (98.4%) reported making individual efforts to stay current, with 87.3% encountering difficulties. Notably, junior residents experienced a higher rate of difficulty than senior residents did (93.1% v 70%, respectively). All the participants expressed the need for a new platform to easily access the results of significant new studies.

CONCLUSION

The traditional radiation oncology curriculum needs to be updated to include modern methods of obtaining information in the current Internet era. In addition, new platforms should be provided to residents for easier access to information. As TROD/GROG, we have planned to address this issue with the GROG News project. Further efforts should be made to develop solutions to alleviate residents' concerns.

Evolution of radiation oncology training in France: Over 20 years of the role of the Société française des jeunes radiothérapeutes oncologues (SFjRO, the French society of young radiation oncologists)

The Société française des jeunes radiothérapeutes oncologues (SFjRO, French society of young radiation oncologists) was founded in 2001 with three main objectives: to represent French residents in radiation oncology, to provide training and to promote research. Initially, the board consisted of only three members but has since expanded to over ten. Since its inception, the SFjRO has organized national in-person courses, which have evolved into projects aimed at standardizing training throughout the country. These national courses are now a compulsory part of residency for all radiation oncology residents in France. In terms of representation, the SFjRO has organized cross-sectional studies and meetings to provide up-to-date information on career development, well-being, and academic training, in order to help young radiation oncologists make informed decisions. The SFjRO represents French radiation oncology residents in various societies such as the Société française de radiothérapie oncologique (SFRO, French society of radiation oncologists), the Intersyndicale nationale des internes (Isni, national union of french residents) or the Collège national des enseignants en cancérologie (Cnec, national council of oncology teachers). The society's involvement in research has been strengthened through partnerships with national and international organizations, providing numerous opportunities for young residents. This article outlines both the major evolutions over time and the role of the SFjRO in representing residents, training and promoting research for young radiation oncologists.

Risk of suicide among oncologists in Serbia

OBJECTIVE

There is only limited research on suicidal thoughts and behaviors of oncologists. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of suicidal thoughts among oncologists in Serbia.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2024 involving 159 oncologists from Serbia and the Republic of Srpska. Respondents completed an online questionnaire which assessed socio-demographic and work characteristics and included the Risk Assessment Suicidality Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Brief Resilience Scale.

RESULTS

Results indicated that 21.4% of oncologists reported elevated suicidality scores. Medical oncologists had the highest average suicidality scores compared to surgical and radiation oncologists, although these differences were not statistically significant. Key associated factors with suicidality included seeing a psychiatrist, undergoing psychiatric therapy, having family history of depression, and family history of suicide attempts and/or suicide. Resilience and sense of personal accomplishment were inversely associated with suicidality.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding that 1 out of 5 oncologists had elevated suicidality scores underscores the urgent need for mental health support for members of this profession, particularly those showing signs of distress. Interventions should promote resilience, enhance personal accomplishment, and ensure easy access to psychiatric care. While these results contribute to the limited data on suicidality among oncologists, they also identify gaps that future studies should address, such as the need for larger sample sizes and the exploration of other potential risk factors. Addressing oncologists' mental health challenges is critical to reducing suicide risk and fostering well-being in this high-risk profession.

Characterizing Wellness Initiatives in Academic Radiation Oncology Departments

Purpose

Burnout is prevalent in radiation oncology (RO), and an increased focus on promoting physician wellness and formalizing wellness-directed efforts has transpired in recent years. We aimed to characterize current wellness leadership positions and efforts within academic RO departments.

Methods and Materials

Academic RO department chairs were contacted to inquire whether they had a departmental wellness leader with a request for leader contact information, if applicable. Wellness leaders were invited to complete an anonymous survey in January and February 2023 using Qualtrics. Questions assessed leader demographic characteristics, role structure and resources, current initiatives, and impacts to date. Descriptive statistics and summaries of free-text responses are reported.

Results

A total of 120 chairs were contacted. In total, 71 (59%) responded, with 43 (61%) having departmental wellness leaders, of which 17 (39.5%) responded, to the survey. A total of 70.6% were female, and 76.5% were physician faculty. Most respondents were early-career. The most common previously implemented initiatives included offering programming and education (33.3%) and improved access to mental health services (25%). The most common active initiatives include conducting studies to address root causes of burnout (41.7%), developing specific wellness goals (25%), performing a review of policies that encourage prolonged work hours (25%), and offering programming and education (25%). Challenges included limited bandwidth (66.7%), lack of funding (41.7%), and lack of departmental interest in organizing or attending events (33.3%). Leaders highlight the importance of a dedicated individual to tangibly implement changes and the unique opportunity of someone within RO to understand the specific challenges faced by those in our field.

Conclusions

Wellness leadership roles exist in many RO departments. As evidenced by a limited number of fully implemented initiatives, these roles are new and evolving. A focus on wellness has the potential to bring positive change to departments; however, the impact of newly established wellness roles on culture and balance requires longitudinal followup.

[Tanslated article] Burnout Syndrome, Anxiety, and Depression in Dermatology Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Burnout syndrome is a mental health disorder due to chronic occupational stress. Both burnout and associated comorbidities are prevalent among health care professionals, being medical residents a vulnerable group. Despite this, the scientific medical literature currently available on this issue in dermatology residents is scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of the burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression in dermatology residents, and the associated risk factors.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This was a cross-sectional trial designed to include dermatology residents from Spain (from December 2022 through June 2023). A self-administered form was sent via online messaging applications, including validated scales to study professional quality of life, burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression.

RESULTS

A total of 48 dermatology residents were included in the study, 50% of whom (24/48) were women, with a mean age of 27 years (1.25). A total of 58.33% (28/48) of the residents had some degree of anxiety, 22.9% (11/48) some degree of depression, and 23.4% a moderate risk of burnout (11/48). Workload was the main risk factor associated with the 3 disorders studied, while managerial support or intrinsic motivation seem to play a protective role.

CONCLUSIONS

Burnout syndrome and its comorbidities are both prevalent in dermatology residents in Spain and closely related to each other.

Burnout Syndrome, Anxiety, and Depression in Dermatology Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Burnout syndrome is a mental health disorder due to chronic occupational stress. Both burnout and associated comorbidities are prevalent among health care professionals, being medical residents a vulnerable group. Despite this, the scientific medical literature currently available on this issue in dermatology residents is scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of the burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression in dermatology residents, and the associated risk factors.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This was a cross-sectional trial designed to include dermatology residents from Spain (from December 2022 through June 2023). A self-administered form was sent via online messaging applications, including validated scales to study professional quality of life, burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression.

RESULTS

A total of 48 dermatology residents were included in the study, 50% of whom (24/48) were women, with a mean age of 27 years (1.25). A total of 58.33% (28/48) of the residents had some degree of anxiety, 22.9% (11/48) some degree of depression, and 23.4% a moderate risk of burnout (11/48). Workload was the main risk factor associated with the 3 disorders studied, while managerial support or intrinsic motivation seem to play a protective role.

CONCLUSIONS

Burnout syndrome and its comorbidities are both prevalent in dermatology residents in Spain and closely related to each other.

Perceived organizational support moderates the effect of job demands on outcomes: Testing the JD-R model in Italian oncology nurses

OBJECTIVES

The research aimed to test the job demands-resources (JD-R) model on a sample of Italian oncology workers, and the role of perceived organizational support (POS) as a moderator of the effects of JD on outcomes (job satisfaction and burnout [BO]).

METHODS

Based on the JD-R model, a correlational study was designed to investigate the relationships between JD, POS as a job resource, self-esteem (as a personal resource), and job outcomes (BO and job satisfaction); the research involved a sample of oncology nurses (N = 235) from an Italian public hospital, who completed a questionnaire during working hours. Relationships between variables were investigated with multiple regressions and moderation analysis.

RESULTS

Results confirmed that JD predict both BO and job satisfaction; POS is a weak predictor of job outcomes, but its mediator role in the JD-outcomes relationship was confirmed: the more the nurses perceive a supportive organization, the weaker the positive relationship between JD and BO.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

Findings are consistent with other contributions that highlighted that organizational job resources may attenuate the adverse effect of JD on positive and negative outcomes: POS may play a central role in employee well-being and health, acting as a possible moderator, and somehow defusing the positive association between JD and outcomes.

Anxiety, depression, and alcohol use disorder in dermatologists: relationship with burnout and associated risk factors

Burnout syndrome is a mental health condition related to chronic occupational stress; its prevalence, as well as its relationship with other mental health disorders in physicians, has become a topic of growing interest. However, no studies with large sample sizes evaluate this association in dermatologists. With this background, a cross-sectional study was designed, which included 420 Spanish dermatologists; the mean age was 44.5 years (12.39), and 62% (260/420) were women. Eleven percent (45/420) of the participants presented a moderate risk of burnout, more than half of the sample had at least one of the burnout symptoms, 47% (198/420) had some degree of anxiety, and 20.3% (85/420) presented some degree of depression. Less than 1% (4/420) demonstrated a high risk of alcohol use disorder. Being female was associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety. Meanwhile, men and residents showed an increasedrisk of alcohol use disorder. Burnout and its domains showed a significative association with depression and anxiety, while no relationship with alcohol abuse was observed.

Factors in turnover intention of cardiothoracic surgery residents

Increasing numbers of cardiothoracic surgery residents are resigning, without completing their training. This study analyzes how their turnover intention is related to the training environment, and individual psychological factors. Responses by 57 Korean cardiothoracic surgery residents were analyzed. Their levels of depression, anxiety, grit, and empathy, working conditions, the effect of someone's presence to discuss their concerns with, burnout, and turnover intention were identified as the research variables. Descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. Burnout has the most significant relationship with turnover intention. It has a mediating effect on the influence of depression, grit (sustained interest), and working conditions, over turnover intention. Empathy, and the presence of someone to discuss concerns with, also affect turnover intention directly. The study also confirmed that grit and work satisfaction affect turnover intention indirectly, through burnout. The study identified both individual- and systemic-level factors for an effective training environment, to reduce cardiothoracic surgery residents' tendencies of leaving the residency program, and supporting them for greater satisfaction with their career choice. In order to resolve negative emotions such as burnout and depression, and foster empathy, a human resource development program for the residents' psychological support must be prepared. The program director should be adequately educated to take charge of the training program, oversee the residents' education and welfare, and perform the roles of role-model and mentor.

Cancer Center Staff Satisfaction: Descriptive Results of a Canadian Study

Caring for cancer patients is generally considered very rewarding work, but it can also be stressful and demanding. Therefore, it is important for oncology healthcare professionals to feel satisfied with their work environment in order to provide the best care possible. An ethics-approved 61-item staff satisfaction survey was developed in-house to gain insights regarding workplace satisfaction among all staff at The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Center. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the responses. A total of 478 individuals completed the online survey, with 75.1% women, 23.2% men, and 1.7% preferring not to say. This represented the vast majority (>75%) of cancer center staff. The approximate breakdown according to healthcare professional type was as follows: 21% nurses, 20% radiation therapists, 18% physicians, 13% clerical staff, and 28% other types of staff. Almost all (97.4%) generally enjoyed their work, with 60% stating "very much" and 37.4% stating "a little bit", and 93.3% found working with cancer patients rewarding. The overall satisfaction level at work was high, with 30.1% reporting "very satisfied" and 54.2% "somewhat satisfied". However, in terms of their work being stressful, 18.6% stated it was "very much" and 62.1% "a little bit". Also, in terms of their workload, 61.3% stated it was "very busy" and 10% stated it was "excessively busy". The most enjoyable aspects of work were listed as interactions with colleagues, interactions with patients, and learning new things. The least enjoyable aspects of work were excessive workload, a perceived unsupportive work environment, and technology problems. Levels of satisfaction and stress at work varied according to role at the cancer center. Most cancer center staff seem to enjoy their work and find it rewarding. However, the work environment can be challenging and stressful. Areas for improvement include managing workloads, ensuring staff feel supported, and improving the user-friendliness of technology.

Overcoming Burnout and Promoting Wellness in Radiation Oncology: A Report From the ACR Commission on Radiation Oncology

Burnout, defined by the presence of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased sense of personal accomplishment, impacts a significant portion of radiation oncologists. This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is notably worse for women, and has been identified as an international concern. Key contributors to burnout within radiation oncology include inadequate clinical and administrative support, imbalanced personal and professional lives including time with family and for self-care, decreased job satisfaction secondary to increased electronic medical record and decreased patient time, unsupportive organizational culture, lack of transparency from leadership and inclusion in administrative decisions, emotionally intensive patient interactions, challenges within the radiation oncology workforce, financial security related to productivity-based compensation and increasing medical training-related debt, limited education on wellness, and fear of seeking mental health services due to stigma and potential negative impacts on the trajectory of one's career. Limited data exist to quantify the impacts of these factors on the overall levels of burnout within radiation oncology specifically, and additional efforts are needed to understand and address root causes of burnout within the field. Strategies should focus on improving the systems in which physicians work and providing the necessary skills and resources to thrive in high-stress, high-stakes work environments.

The relationship between physician burnout and depression, anxiety, suicidality and substance abuse: A mixed methods systematic review

Introduction

The World Health Organization defines burnout as a problem associated with employment, a category distinct from psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, suicidality and disorders of substance abuse. Evaluating the association between burnout as an occupational exposure and psychological morbidity may indicate that burnout can act as an occupational risk factor for mental ill-health. The systematic review explores this relationship in physicians due to the increased risk in this population and the implications for healthcare delivery.

Methods

A mixed methods systematic review of the literature was conducted across Medline, Cinahl Plus, PsycInfo, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library. Databases were systematically searched using keywords relating to physician burnout and depression, anxiety, suicidality and substance abuse. Identified articles were screened for eligibility by two independent researchers. Data extraction was performed and studies assessed for risk of bias. Quantitative and qualitative results were integrated using a convergent segregated approach and results portrayed as a narrative synthesis.

Results

Sixty-one articles were included in the review. There was notable heterogeneity in the measurement and criteria used to define burnout limiting the assimilation of results. Despite this, all studies that measured the association between depression and burnout reported a significant association. Studies that reported association between burnout and anxiety were similarly uniformly consistent. Most studies that reported the association between burnout and suicidality indicated that a significant association exists however difficulty in measurement of suicidality may have influenced variability of results. The reported association between substance abuse and burnout was more variable, suggesting that any association is likely to be weak or influenced by other variables. Qualitative studies described the manifestations of chronic workplace stress as well as perceived links with psychological morbidity. These included lack of time for work-life balance, the contribution of professional relationships and a culture of invulnerability that exists among physicians.

Conclusion

The systematic review cannot conclude causality but suggests that physician burnout is associated with depression, anxiety and suicidality. Qualitative data provides insight into the nature of this association. The review indicates the need for longitudinal research and provides considerations for intervention strategies to prevent the development and progression of burnout.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020172938, identifier: CRD42020172938.

Burnout among oncologists, nurses, and radiographers working in oncology patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Oncology care professionals are exposed to high levels of stress that can lead to burnout. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of burnout among nurses, oncologists and radiographers working in oncology patient care during the COVID -19 pandemic.

METHODS

Our electronic questionnaire was sent to e-mail contacts registered in the system of the Hungarian Society of Oncologists and to all oncology staff via an internal information system in each cancer center. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which measures depersonalization (DP), emotional exhaustion (EE), and personal accomplishment (PA). Demographic and work-related characteristics were collected in our self-designed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, two-sample t-tests, analyzes of variance, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 205 oncology care workers' responses were analyzed. Oncologists (n = 75) were found to be significantly more committed to DP and EE (p = 0.001; p = 0.001). Working more than 50 h per week and being on-call had a negative effect on the EE dimension (p = 0.001; p = 0.003). Coming up with the idea of working abroad had a negative effect on all three dimensions of burnout (p ≤ 0.05). Respondents who did not leave their job due to their current life situation had significantly higher DE, EE, and lower PA (p ≤ 0.05). Intention to leave current profession was specific in (n = 24/78; 30.8%) of nurses (p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that male gender, being an oncologist, working more than 50 h per week and taking on call duties have a negative impact on individual burnout. Future measures to prevent burnout should be integrated into the professionals' work environment, regardless of the impact of the current pandemic.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Prevention and oncopsychological training should be developed gradually at the organisational or personal level to avoid early burnout of professionals.

Mindfulness and compassion training for health professionals: A qualitative study

Background

Compassion is a key component of quality care. Encouraging Health Care Professionals (HCPs) to develop a patient-centered care relationship through mindfulness and compassion training may be beneficial for both patients and HCPs.

Method

We assessed the impact of a compassion-centered mindfulness program [i.e., the Mindfulness Based (MB) CARE program] on healthcare practice conducting 10 phone interviews with HCPs who experienced the program.

Results

The training had an overall positive impact on the HCPs ability to feel compassion toward their patients and themselves, helped them develop kindness toward themselves and their patients, and enhanced their attention to their patient's needs and theirs. Participants were better able to accept the difficult work experiences or those their patients experienced, with more perceived equanimity and less reactivity.

Conclusion

Professional mindfulness and compassion training programs could be operational levers for institutions aiming at fostering more compassionate HCPs-patients relationships.

Relationship between job satisfaction, burnout syndrome and depressive symptoms in physicians: a cross-sectional study based on the employment demand-control model using structural equation modelling

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between job satisfaction, burnout syndrome (BS) and depressive symptoms (DS) based on the job demand-control framework model on a nationally representative sample of physicians working in the Peruvian Health System.

SETTING

We carried out a secondary data analysis of the National Survey of Satisfaction of Users in Health 2016 in Peru.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Our study assessed the development of the predictive model and had two parts: (1) to evaluate the association among the variables based on the job demand-control framework, and (2) to assess the proposed model acceptability using the structural equation modelling approach to estimate goodness-of-fit indices (GOFIs).

PARTICIPANTS

We excluded physicians older than 65 years, who did not report income levels or who had missing data related to the workplace. Thus, we analysed 2100 participants.

RESULTS

The prevalence of DS was 3.3%. Physicians' work-related illnesses had more probability to result in DS (prevalence ratio=2.23). DS was moderately related to BS dimensions (r>0.50); nevertheless, the relationships between DS and the three job satisfaction scales were weak (r<0.30). The first predictive model based on the variables, DS, BS and job satisfaction, had low GOFIs (comparative fit index (CFI)=0.883; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.125). In a second evaluation, we used models with correlated errors obtaining optimal GOFIs (CFI=0.974; RMSEA=0.060).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified a stable model to explain the relationship between job satisfaction, BS and DS among physicians. The results are consistent with the job demand-control framework. They could be applied to decision-making in occupational contexts in Latin American low/middle-income countries.

Burnout prevalence among European physicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Our objective was to assess burnout prevalence rates among physicians practicing in Europe (regardless of their specialty) taking into account the main approaches used to define burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) tool.

METHODS

A systematic review was carried out from 2006 to 2018. A keyword request was obtained using the PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Banque de Données en Santé Publique search engine. Studies written in English measuring burnout with the MBI tool among a population of practicing European physicians were selected. Data were extracted and classified according to burnout's definition provided by the authors. Three definitions using the MBI dimensions were considered: tri-, bi- and unidimensional definition. A meta-analysis was then performed on burnout prevalence rates according to the dimensional definition of burnout.

RESULTS

From 2378 search results, we selected 56 studies including from up to 41 European countries. Depending upon the study, physicians' burnout prevalence rates ranged from 2.5% to 72.0%. The pooled prevalence rate of burnout was estimated at 7.7% [5.3-10.4%] with the tridimensional definition, 19.7% [13.5-26.3%] with the bidimensional definition and 43.2% [29.0-57.6%] with the unidimensional definition.

CONCLUSION

Burnout pooled prevalence among physicians varies from single to fivefold depending on the method employed to assess burnout with the MBI tool. Medical community should determine a standardized method to assess burnout prevalence rates to best evaluate this phenomenon.

Burnout Levels and Patterns in Postgraduate Medical Trainees: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Postgraduate medical trainees experience high rates of burnout; however, inconsistencies in definitions of burnout characterize this literature. The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis examining burnout levels and patterns in postgraduate medical trainees, using a continuous conceptualization of burnout, consistent with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) framework.

METHOD

The authors searched 5 electronic databases (Cochrane Library, Embase, ERIC, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid PsycINFO) between January 1981 and July 2019 for studies reporting postgraduate medical trainees' burnout levels using the MBI-Human Services Survey. They examined study reporting quality using the QualSyst quality appraisal tool and calculated standardized mean differences (Hedges' g), comparing trainees' data with MBI norms for medicine and the overall population using a random effects model. They explored between-study heterogeneity using subgroup analyses (i.e., by training level and specialty). Finally, they studied the combined contribution of these 2 variables (and year of study publication) to burnout levels, using meta-regression.

RESULTS

The authors identified 2,978 citations and included 89 independent studies in their review. They pooled the data for the 18,509 postgraduate trainees included in these studies for the meta-analyses. Reporting quality was generally high across the included studies. The meta-analyses revealed higher burnout levels among trainees compared with medicine and overall population norms, particularly for the depersonalization subscale. The authors also identified statistically significant differences between nonsurgical and surgical registrars (specialty trainees), with trainees from 12 individual specialties exhibiting unique burnout patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need to reduce and prevent burnout early in medical training. Given the differences in burnout levels and patterns across specialties, interventions must focus on the unique patterns exhibited by each specialty in the target population using a multidimensional approach. Standardizing the definition of burnout in accordance with the MBI framework will facilitate progression of this work.

Oncology Residency-a Burning Issue, Results of a Questionnaire-Based Survey on Psychological Well-being of Oncology Residents

Residency, in particular oncology residency, is a challenging time with extensive academic demands, long working hours, and uncertainty about the future. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with burnout, anxiety and depression among oncology residents at a tertiary cancer centre. An anonymised questionnaire-based study was conducted among medical, surgical, paediatric and radiation oncology resident doctors at a tertiary cancer centre in April 2019. We used Copenhagen Burnout Index (CBI) to assess burnout (which includes personal, work-related and patient-related burnout), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) for depression and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD7) for anxiety. The questionnaire was served to 201 residents. The overall response rate was 70.6%. High personal, work-related and patient-related burnout was identified in 71.1%, 67.6% and 23.2% of the respondents respectively. Medical oncology residents had the highest rate of personal and work-related burnout (95% and 85%) while head and neck oncology residents had the highest rate of patient-related burnout (33.3%). 27.5% of participants were found to have high levels of anxiety on the GAD7 while 14.8% of participants were detected to have a high score on the PHQ9 for depression. High personal burnout and work-related burnout were associated with both high anxiety and depression scores (p < 0.05). There is a high prevalence of burnout, depression and anxiety among oncology residents. With an expected rise in cancer burden in the next decade, psychological issues in caregivers can be expected to increase. Further studies will be needed to determine interventions to reduce psychological distress.

Burnout amongst members of the French-speaking Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Urology (SFUPA). Are there specific risk factors?

BACKGROUND

Burnout, which includes emotional fatigue, cynicism and low personal accomplishment is linked to poor job satisfaction, decreased empathy, job withdrawal, increased absenteeism and increased medical errors, and is present among pediatric urologists.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the incidence of burnout among the members of the French-speaking Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Urology (SFUPA) and determine which external factors, such as marital or familial status, gender, age, type of practice or religious belief, impacted burnout rates.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We sent all members of the French-speaking Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Urology (SFUPA) an anonymous online questionnaire containing the validated French version of the 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBIHSS). The questionnaire comprised further questions on age, gender, marital status, presence of children at home, type of practice, professional status (trainee, consultant, or academic position), spirituality and whether responders believed they presented signs of burnout.

RESULTS

70 out of 94 members of the SFUPA answered the questionnaire (response rate 74%). The number of responders who presented high scores in one, two or the three domains of the questionnaire were respectively 48.6% (IC 95%: 36-61%), 21.4% (IC 95%: 12.5-33%) and 8.6% (IC 95%: 3-18%). 34.6% of responders who believed they presented no signs of burnout actually did have a high burnout score in at least one domain. There was no significant association between age, gender, having children or being a trainee and the presence of burnout. However, marital status and workplace were significantly associated with presence of signs of burnout.

DISCUSSION

Burnout is a distinct type of work-related stress - a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. In our study the most significant factor was working in Academic hospitals which can be associated with administrative workload, long hours and a lack of institutional resources. Being in a couple was also associated with less burnout, thus showing the importance of healthy relationships and sharing on burnout rate. Age, however was not associated significantly with burnout nor was gender, which is in coherence with previous findings.

CONCLUSION

Amongst members of the French-speaking Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Urology, nearly half presented signs of burnout, especially those working in academic hospitals. Marital status also influenced burnout rates. Scientific societies should work on developing tools to identify and accompany affected individuals.

Professional quality of life and burnout amongst radiation oncologists: The impact of alexithymia and empathy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Different factors may influence the professional quality of life of oncology professionals. Among them, personality traits, as alexithymia and empathy, are underinvestigated. Alexithymia is about deficits in emotion processing and awareness. Empathy is the ability to understand another's 'state of mind'/emotion. The PROject on BurnOut in RadiatioN Oncology (PRO BONO) assesses professional quality of life, including burnout, in the field of radiation oncology and investigates alexithymia and empathy as contributing factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An online survey was conducted amongst ESTRO members. Participants completed 3 validated questionnaires for alexithymia, empathy and professional quality of life: (a) Toronto Alexithymia Scale; (b) Interpersonal Reactivity Index; (c) Professional Quality of Life Scale. The present analysis, focusing on radiation/clinical oncologists, evaluates Compassion Satisfaction (CS), Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and Burnout and correlates them with alexithymia and empathy (empathic concern, perspective taking and personal distress) with generalized linear modeling. Significant covariates on univariate linear regression analysis were included in the multivariate linear regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 825 radiation oncologists completed all questionnaires. A higher level of alexithymia was associated to decreased CS (β: -0.101; SE: 0.018; p < 0.001), increased STS (β: 0.228; SE: 0.018; p < 0.001) and burnout (β: 0.177; SE: 0.016; p < 0.001). A higher empathic concern was significantly associated to increased CS (β: 0.1.287; SE: 0.305; p = 0.001), STS (β: 0.114; SE: 0.296; p < 0.001), with no effect on burnout. Personal distress was associated to decreased CS (β: -1.423; SE: 0.275; p < 0.001), increased STS (β: 1.871; SE: 0.283; p < 0.001) and burnout (β: 1.504; SE: 0.245; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Alexithymic personality trait increased burnout risk, with less professional satisfaction. Empathic concern was associated to increased stress, without leading to burnout, resulting in higher professional fulfillment. These results may be used to benchmark preventing strategies, such as work-hour restrictions, peer support, debriefing sessions, and leadership initiatives for professionals at risk.

Empowering patients in decision-making in radiation oncology - can we do better?

The decision as to whether or not a patient should receive radiation therapy as part of their cancer treatment is based on evidence‐based practice and on recommended international consensus treatment guidelines. However, the merit of involving the patients' individual preferences and values in the treatment decision is frequently overlooked. Here, we review the current literature pertaining to shared decision‐making (SDM) in the field of radiation oncology, including discussion of the patient's perception of radiation therapy as a treatment option and patient involvement in clinical trials. The merit of decision aids during the SDM process in radiation oncology is considered, as are patient preferences for active or passive involvement in decisions about their treatment. Clarity of terminology, a better understanding of effective strategies and increased resources will be needed to ensure SDM in radiation oncology becomes a reality.

The Correlation of Burnout and Optimism among Medical Residents

Introduction Burnout is common among clinical specialties and has implications on the residents' well-being and mental health. Evidence suggests that optimism and burnout are correlated, but research has not focused on the applicability to medical residents. The objective of the study was to define burnout in residents and correlate it with optimism. Methods The authors conducted a correlational, prospective cross-sectional study using self-reported single item burnout (1-10) and Life Oriented Test-Revised (LOT-R) (0-24) survey instruments among residents of neurosurgery, neurology, internal medicine, family medicine and emergency medicine at a community-based hospital. Residents were asked to fill out the survey once in the 2018 academic year and once again in the 2019 academic year. Burnout and optimism scores were correlated and compared across subgroups for each year. Results There was no statistical significance found amongst any subgroups in burnout in 2018 but significance was found for both internal medicine (t = 3.74, p = 0.001) and neurosurgery (t = -3.07, p = 0.01) in 2019. Mean burnout increased from 2018 to 2019 from 4.39 to 5.1. Optimism remained constant from 2018 to 2019 (16.7 and 16.76, respectively) and there was no difference across subgroups. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between burnout and optimism in both 2018 (r = -0.364, p = 0.006) and 2019 (r = -0.39, p = .001). Conclusion Burnout and optimism are negatively correlated. Although burnout increased over time, optimism remained constant indicating the stability of this trait and implication for future interventions.