P Jiménez-Labaig1, V Pacheco-Barcia2, A Cebrià3, F Gálvez4, B Obispo5, D Páez6, A Quílez7, T Quintanar8, A Ramchandani9, J Remon10, J Rogado5, D A Sánchez11, M Sánchez-Cánovas12, E Sanz-García13, A Sesma14, N Tarazona15, A Cotés16, E González17, J Bosch-Barrera18, A Fernández19, E Felip20, R Vera21, Á Rodríguez-Lescure8, E Élez22. 1. Department of Medical Oncology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain. 2. Department of Medical Oncology, Gómez Ulla Military Hospital, Madrid, Spain. 3. Department of Mental Health, Parc Taulí University Hospital, Sabadell, Catalunya, Spain. 4. Department of Medical Oncology, Jaén University Hospital, Jaén, Andalucía, Spain. 5. Department of Medical Oncology, Infanta Leonor University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. 6. Department of Medical Oncology, Santa Creu i Sant Pau University Hospital, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 7. Department of Medical Oncology, Can Misses Hospital, Área de salud de Ibiza y Formentera (ASEF), Ibiza, Illes Balears, Spain. 8. Department of Medical Oncology, Elche University General Hospital, Elche, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain. 9. Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Complex, Insular-Materno Infantil de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain. 10. Department of Medical Oncology, HM Delfos Hospital, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 11. Department of Medical Oncology, Virgen de La Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Región de Murcia, Spain. 12. Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Morales Meseguer University General Hospital, Murcia, Región de Murcia, Spain. 13. Department of Medical Oncology, HM Sanchinarro Hospital-Centro Integral Oncológico Clara Campal (CIOOC), Madrid, Spain. 14. Department of Medical Oncology, Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital, Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain. 15. Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain. 16. Department of Medical Oncology, Elda General Hospital, Elda, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain. 17. Department of Medical Oncology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Andalucía, Spain. 18. Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Girona, Catalunya, Spain. 19. Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Complex of Ourense (CHUO), Ourense, Galicia, Spain. 20. Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital & Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 21. Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Complex of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain. 22. Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital & Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. Electronic address: meelez@vhio.net.
Abstract
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.
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.