Identifying and preventing burnout in young oncologists, an overwhelming challenge in the COVID-19 era: a study of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)

ESMO Open

article

D. Páez¹  A. Quílez²  T. Quintanar³  A. Ramchandani⁴  J. Remon⁵  J. Rogado⁶  D.A. Sánchez⁷  M. Sánchez-Cánovas⁸  E. Sanz-García⁹  A. Sesma^1,10  N. Tarazona^1,11  A. Cotés^1,13  E. González^1,14  J. Bosch-Barrera^1,15  A. Fernández^1,16  E. Felip^1,17  R. Vera^1,18  Á. Rodríguez-Lescure³  E. Élez^1,17  P. Jiménez-Labaig^1,19  V. Pacheco-Barcia^2,20  A. Cebrià^2,21  F. Gálvez^2,22  B. Obispo⁶ 

[1] Department of Medical Oncology, Santa Creu i Sant Pau University Hospital;Department of Medical Oncology, Can Misses Hospital;Department of Medical Oncology, Elche University General Hospital;Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Complex;Department of Medical Oncology, HM Delfos Hospital;Department of Medical Oncology, Infanta Leonor University Hospital;Department of Medical Oncology, Virgen de La Arrixaca University Hospital;Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Morales Meseguer University General Hospital;Department of Medical Oncology, HM Sanchinarro Hospital—Centro Integral Oncológico Clara Campal;Department of Medical Oncology, Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital;Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute;Instituto de Salud Carlos III;Department of Medical Oncology, Elda General Hospital;Department of Medical Oncology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital;Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital, Institut Català d"Oncologia;Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Complex of Ourense;Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital & Institute of Oncology ,(VHIO), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Campus;Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Complex of Navarra;Department of Medical Oncology, Cruces University Hospital;Department of Medical Oncology, Gómez Ulla Military Hospital;Department of Mental Health, Parc Taulí University Hospital;Department of Medical Oncology, Jaén University Hospital

关键词: professional burnout;    young oncologists;    residents;    cancer care;    COVID-19;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100215

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: BMJ Publishing Group

【 摘 要 】

Background Young oncologists are at particular risk of professional burnout, and this could have a significant impact on their health and care of their patients. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced rapid changes in professionals' jobs and training, with the consequent physical and psychological effects. We aimed to characterize burnout levels and determinants in young oncologists, and the effects of the pandemic on their training and health.Methods Two online surveys were conducted among oncology residents and young oncology specialists in Spain. The first addressed professional burnout and its determinants before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the second analyzed the impact of the pandemic on health care organization, training, and physical and psychological health in the same population.Results In total, 243 respondents completed the first survey, and 263 the second; 25.1% reported significant levels of professional burnout. Burnout was more common among medical oncology residents (28.2%), mainly in their second year of training. It was significantly associated with a poor work–life balance, inadequate vacation time, and the burnout score. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) were reassigned to COVID-19 care and 84.3% of residents missed part of their training rotations. Overall, 17.2% of this population reported that they had contracted COVID-19, 37.3% had scores indicating anxiety, and 30.4% moderate to severe depression. Almost a quarter of young oncologists (23.3%) had doubts about their medical vocation.Conclusions Burnout affects a considerable number of young oncologists. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on causes of burnout, making it even more necessary to periodically monitor it to define appropriate detection and prevention strategies.

【 授权许可】

CC BY|CC BY-NC-ND