TY  - JOUR
A1  - Helaß, Madeleine
A1  - Haag, Georg Martin
A1  - Bankstahl, Ulli Simone
A1  - Gencer, Deniz
A1  - Maatouk, Imad
T1  - Burnout among German oncologists: a cross-sectional study in cooperation with the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie Quality of Life Working Group
JF  - Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
N2  - Purpose
Oncologists are at an increased risk of developing burnout, leading to negative consequences in patient care and in professional satisfaction and quality of life. This study was designed to investigate exhaustion and disengagement among German oncologists and assess the prevalence of burnout among oncologists within different professional settings. Furthermore, we wanted to examine possible relations between sociodemographic factors, the oncological setting, professional experience and different aspects of burnout.

Methods
In a cross-sectional study design, an Internet-based survey was conducted with 121 oncologists between April and July 2020 using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, which contains items on exhaustion, disengagement, and burnout. Furthermore, sociodemographic data of the participants were assessed. The participants were members of the Working Group Medical Oncology (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie) within the German Cancer Society.

Results
The survey showed a burnout prevalence of 43.8%, which correlated with age and professional experience; that is, the prevalence is particularly high among younger oncologists. Exhaustion is closely related to employment status; that is, it was significantly higher among employed oncologists. There were remarkably low levels of disengagement among oncologists, highlighting the own demand to fulfil job requirements despite imminent or actual overburdening in daily work.

Conclusion
More support is necessary to mitigate the professional stressors in the healthcare system. To ensure quality medical care, employees should be offered preventive mental health services early in their careers.
KW  - burnout
KW  - exhaustion
KW  - disengagement
KW  - Oldenburg burnout inventory
KW  - oncologist
KW  - prevalence
Y1  - 2023
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324446
VL  - 149
IS  - 2
ER  -