Burnout and career satisfaction in neuro-oncology: A survey of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the European Association of Neuro-Oncology memberships

Shlomit Yust-Katz, Barbara O'Brien, Elizabeth Vera, Alvina Acquaye, Michael Weller, Terri Armstrong

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Professional burnout is a syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and loss of personal achievement. Burnout is a significant issue among health care providers, and neuro-oncology providers may be at high risk. We conducted a survey to evaluate burnout and career satisfaction among those caring for patients with brain tumors, and to identify risk factors for burnout. Methods: We distributed an anonymous online survey to Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) members in 2016 and to European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) members in 2017. The survey comprised questions about personal and professional characteristics and the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate analyses, and incorporation of recently defined burnout profiles. Results: Sixty-three percent of SNO and 61% of EANO participants were identified as having high burnout according to MBI-HSS. Among SNO participants, physicians had a lower rate of high burnout (61%) compared with allied health professionals (68%, P<0.01) and basic scientists (83%, P<0.01). Regarding the factors most commonly contributing to high burnout, SNO participants most commonly experienced high emotional exhaustion (48% of SNO participants vs 34% of EANO participants), whereas EANO participants most commonly experienced low personal achievement (40% vs 28%). Among both SNO and EANO participants, increasing job satisfaction reduced the likelihood of high burnout. Conclusions: The prevalence of burnout among neuro-oncology professionals is high and personal risk factors were identified. Burnout profiles recognize a continuum of well-being and warrant further research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)838-850
Number of pages13
JournalNeuro-oncology
Volume22
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 9 2020

Keywords

  • job satisfaction
  • neuro-oncology
  • professional burnout
  • survey

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cancer Research

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