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An exploration of the prevalence and predictors of work-related well-being among psychosocial oncology professionals: An application of the job demands–resources model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 December 2015

Adrienne Turnell ,
Victoria Rasmussen ,
Phyllis Butow ,
Ilona Juraskova ,
Laura Kirsten ,
Lori Wiener ,
Andrea Patenaude ,
Josette Hoekstra-Weebers  and
Luigi Grassi
Adrienne Turnell
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Victoria Rasmussen
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Phyllis Butow*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-Based Decision-Making, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Ilona Juraskova
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-Based Decision-Making, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Laura Kirsten
Affiliation:
Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-Based Decision-Making, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Nepean Cancer Care Centre, Sydney West Cancer Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Lori Wiener
Affiliation:
Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
Andrea Patenaude
Affiliation:
Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue Boston, MA, 02215
Josette Hoekstra-Weebers
Affiliation:
Wenckebach Institute, University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Luigi Grassi
Affiliation:
International Psycho-Oncology Society, Charlottesville, Virginia
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Phyllis N. Butow, School of Psychology, Level 6–North, Lifehouse C39Z, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. E-mail: phyllis.butow@sydney.edu.au
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Abstract

Objective:

Burnout is reportedly high among oncology healthcare workers. Psychosocial oncologists may be particularly vulnerable to burnout. However, their work engagement may also be high, counteracting stress in the workplace. This study aimed to document the prevalence of both burnout and work engagement, and the predictors of both, utilizing the job demands–resources (JD–R) model, within a sample of psychosocial oncologists.

Method:

Psychosocial-oncologist (N = 417) clinicians, recruited through 10 international and national psychosocial-oncology societies, completed an online questionnaire. Measures included demographic and work characteristics, burnout (the MBI–HSS Emotional Exhaustion (EE) and Depersonalization (DP) subscales), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and measures of job demands and resources.

Results:

High EE and DP was reported by 20.2 and 6.6% of participants, respectively, while 95.3% reported average to high work engagement. Lower levels of job resources and higher levels of job demands predicted greater burnout, as predicted by the JD–R model, but the predicted interaction between these characteristics and burnout was not significant. Higher levels of job resources predicted higher levels of work engagement.

Significance of results:

Burnout was surprisingly low and work engagement high in this sample. Nonetheless, one in five psychosocial oncologists have high EE. Our results suggest that both the positive (resources) and negative (demands) aspects of this work environment have an on impact burnout and engagement, offering opportunities for intervention. Theories such as the JD–R model can be useful in guiding research in this area.

Keywords

CancerOncologyPsychosocial oncologyBurnoutWork engagementJob demands–resources
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , February 2016 , pp. 33 - 41
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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