Abstract 5187
Background
The practice of oncology is challenging, especially when dealing with terminally ill patients and end of life. This is not without an emotional impact on oncologists, with potential negative effect on patient care and personal lives. We aimed to outline the main factors that makes of patients’ death an emotionally difficult experience, and to identify practical coping strategies.
Methods
An online survey was completed by 128 oncologists from three North African countries and France, on March-April 2019. All surveys were anonymous and confidential. The questionnaire included socio-demographic information, and sections about patients’ death and coping strategies.
Results
Most respondents were female (83.5%) and young oncologists (20-40 years-old), with less than 10 years professional experience (85.3%), but seeing more than 50 patients per week, and experiencing 0-2 deaths per month. They were mostly from Tunisia (n = 99), Morocco (n = 25), Algeria (n = 2) and France (n = 2). The majority was medical oncologists (57.9%), then radiation oncologists (29.4%). More than two-thirds of the oncologists reported that young age, long-term relationship and family denial towards the prognosis were the main factors making death or therapeutic failure announcement the most difficult. Unexpected evolution leading to death, and the non-access to more effective treatment in our countries had an emotional impact on 70% of the oncologists. A variety of coping strategies was identified: mainly peer support from colleagues and/or family and friends (53.5%), practicing hobbies (39.4%), seeking support in praying and faith (26.3%). Addictive behavior and/or medications were reported in 9.1%, significantly in single respondents (p 0.051). A majority (n = 83) reported a change in their character noticed by their families since the practice of oncology. The oncologists expressed becoming better able to set priorities (48%), more humble and human (61.4%) and motivated to improve their quality of health care (33.9%).
Conclusions
Dealing with patients’ death and confronting therapeutic failure have obviously an effect on oncologists’ personal life. We need to be aware of this issue, and to propose different coping strategies and interventions.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
4526 - Long-term outcome of neoadjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in locally advanced dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
Presenter: Jessica Beaziz
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1214 - Neo-adjuvant (NA) Imatinib for gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs): What is the optimal length of treatment?
Presenter: Tom Wilson
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2690 - Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST) in adolescents and young adults (AYA)
Presenter: Nikki Ijzerman
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4558 - Radiomics improves response evaluation for desmoid tumors treated with chemotherapy
Presenter: Amandine Crombe
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2751 - Radiomics of gastrointestinal stromal tumors; risk classification based on computed tomography images – a pilot study
Presenter: Milea Timbergen
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2737 - Differentiating well-differentiated liposarcomas from lipomas using a radiomics approach
Presenter: Melissa Vos
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1282 - The immune landscape of chondrosarcoma reveals an anti inflammatory environment
Presenter: Iseulys Richert
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1572 - Impact of Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy on Tumor Growth Rate in Sarcoma
Presenter: Esmail Al-ezzi
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3414 - DNA methylation profiles of angiosarcoma subtypes.
Presenter: Marije Weidema
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3411 - Prognostic significance of circulating PD-1, PD-L1, pan-BTN3As and BTN3A1 in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (mGISTs)
Presenter: Daniele Fanale
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract