Emotional exhaustion in cancer clinicians: A mixed methods exploration

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to explore the associations of emotional exhaustion in oncology clinicians and perceptions of doctors about their work–life balance in a developing country. Methods: The current study used quantitative semi-structured interviews and qualitative in-depth i...

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Main Authors: Rhea Daruvala, Maupali Ghosh, Francesca Fratazzi, Siti Adibah Norzan, Anirban Laha, Rosina Ahmed, Samiran Panda, Soumitra Shankar Datta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2019-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijmpo.org/article.asp?issn=0971-5851;year=2019;volume=40;issue=1;spage=111;epage=120;aulast=
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author Rhea Daruvala
Maupali Ghosh
Francesca Fratazzi
Siti Adibah Norzan
Anirban Laha
Rosina Ahmed
Samiran Panda
Soumitra Shankar Datta
author_facet Rhea Daruvala
Maupali Ghosh
Francesca Fratazzi
Siti Adibah Norzan
Anirban Laha
Rosina Ahmed
Samiran Panda
Soumitra Shankar Datta
author_sort Rhea Daruvala
collection DOAJ
description Objectives: The aim of the current study was to explore the associations of emotional exhaustion in oncology clinicians and perceptions of doctors about their work–life balance in a developing country. Methods: The current study used quantitative semi-structured interviews and qualitative in-depth interviews to explore emotional exhaustion and burnout in doctors in a tertiary care cancer center. Sociodemographic details, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Patient Health Questionnaire were used for the quantitative analysis. Results: Increased work pressure (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 5.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01–14.47, P < 0.01), reduced job-related satisfaction (AOR: 3.56, 95% CI: 1.37–9.25, P < 0.01), being a woman (AOR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.2–9.5, P < 0.01), and having higher anxiety and depression scores (AOR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.11–7.46, P = 0.03) were independently associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion. In the qualitative interviews, many doctors felt working in oncology a satisfying as well as stressful experience. Dealing with palliative and end-of-life situations and counseling patients and their family members about various treatment options contributed to the stress. Male and female clinicians viewed work–life balance differently. Female doctors charted a larger area of influence for which they felt responsible in work and life. Conclusion: Increased work pressure, reduced job satisfaction, and increased affective symptoms contribute to emotional exhaustion in oncology clinicians, and the risk increases especially in female doctors. Having gender-sensitive and employee-friendly policies will likely help in having a nurturing work environment.
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spelling doaj-art-3151c09584fc4a7d80f519faaa733f4e2025-08-20T02:01:35ZengThieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology0971-58510975-21292019-01-0140111112010.4103/ijmpo.ijmpo_168_17Emotional exhaustion in cancer clinicians: A mixed methods explorationRhea DaruvalaMaupali GhoshFrancesca FratazziSiti Adibah NorzanAnirban LahaRosina AhmedSamiran PandaSoumitra Shankar DattaObjectives: The aim of the current study was to explore the associations of emotional exhaustion in oncology clinicians and perceptions of doctors about their work–life balance in a developing country. Methods: The current study used quantitative semi-structured interviews and qualitative in-depth interviews to explore emotional exhaustion and burnout in doctors in a tertiary care cancer center. Sociodemographic details, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Patient Health Questionnaire were used for the quantitative analysis. Results: Increased work pressure (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 5.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01–14.47, P < 0.01), reduced job-related satisfaction (AOR: 3.56, 95% CI: 1.37–9.25, P < 0.01), being a woman (AOR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.2–9.5, P < 0.01), and having higher anxiety and depression scores (AOR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.11–7.46, P = 0.03) were independently associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion. In the qualitative interviews, many doctors felt working in oncology a satisfying as well as stressful experience. Dealing with palliative and end-of-life situations and counseling patients and their family members about various treatment options contributed to the stress. Male and female clinicians viewed work–life balance differently. Female doctors charted a larger area of influence for which they felt responsible in work and life. Conclusion: Increased work pressure, reduced job satisfaction, and increased affective symptoms contribute to emotional exhaustion in oncology clinicians, and the risk increases especially in female doctors. Having gender-sensitive and employee-friendly policies will likely help in having a nurturing work environment.http://www.ijmpo.org/article.asp?issn=0971-5851;year=2019;volume=40;issue=1;spage=111;epage=120;aulast=Burnoutcancerdepressionemotional exhaustiononcologywork-life balance
spellingShingle Rhea Daruvala
Maupali Ghosh
Francesca Fratazzi
Siti Adibah Norzan
Anirban Laha
Rosina Ahmed
Samiran Panda
Soumitra Shankar Datta
Emotional exhaustion in cancer clinicians: A mixed methods exploration
Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology
Burnout
cancer
depression
emotional exhaustion
oncology
work-life balance
title Emotional exhaustion in cancer clinicians: A mixed methods exploration
title_full Emotional exhaustion in cancer clinicians: A mixed methods exploration
title_fullStr Emotional exhaustion in cancer clinicians: A mixed methods exploration
title_full_unstemmed Emotional exhaustion in cancer clinicians: A mixed methods exploration
title_short Emotional exhaustion in cancer clinicians: A mixed methods exploration
title_sort emotional exhaustion in cancer clinicians a mixed methods exploration
topic Burnout
cancer
depression
emotional exhaustion
oncology
work-life balance
url http://www.ijmpo.org/article.asp?issn=0971-5851;year=2019;volume=40;issue=1;spage=111;epage=120;aulast=
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