1852P - Mental health among Tunisian oncologists

Background

Oncology is a satisfying career. Helping patients through their cancer diagnosis and treatment can offer a sense of self fulfilment. But on the other hand, it can take its emotional toll on doctors. Long hours, dealing with life and death can affect oncologist’s mental health. It can cause depression, anxiety and PTSD. Our aim is to identify individuals who are at risk for burnout and facilitate interventions to prevent it.

Methods

This study used a descriptive design to identify individuals at risk for burnout among oncologists. It included 100 clinicians, working in various hospitals in Tunisia, recruited via email invitations. Inclusion criteria included being a practicing oncologist with at least one year of experience. Participants anonymously completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire, a tool used to detect burnout. The MBI consists of 22 items that assess emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment.

Results

The population is made of 77% females and 23% males. With an average age of 33 years, medical oncologists represented 80%, radiotherapists 12% and surgical oncologists 8%. The majority had professional experience ranging from 1 to 5 years. Gender difference was seen on the emotional exhaustion subscale where women scored higher. No significant differences were observed in the scores based on professional experience or field of practice. Emotional Exhaustion: Participants had a mean score of 29. Meaning the participants experienced high levels of emotional exhaustion. Only 20% of the population had low score, 20% scored moderately and 60% had high scores. Depersonalization: Results showed a mean score of 10. Participants are experiencing moderate levels of depersonalization, with 28% scoring low, 32% scoring moderate and 40% scoring high. Personal Accomplishment: the average score was 35. Participants are experiencing moderate levels of personal accomplishment, with 32% at low risk of burnout, 20% at moderate risk and 48% at high risk of burnout.

Conclusions

Our study provides valuable information about the levels of burnout experienced by oncologists. It should inform interventions and strategies to mitigate burnout and promote wellbeing in this population. It should also ring alarm bells to oncologists’ suffering mental health.

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.