Evaluating stress, burnout and job satisfaction in New Zealand radiation oncology departments

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the levels of occupational stress, burnout and job satisfaction among radiation oncology workers across New Zealand. All oncology staff practising in all eight radiation oncology departments in New Zealand were invited to participate anonymously in a questionnaire, which consisted of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and measures of stress intensity associated with specific occupational stressors, stress reduction strategies and job satisfaction. A total of 171 (out of 349) complete responses were analysed using spss 19; there were 23 oncologists, 111 radiation therapists, 22 radiation nurses and 15 radiation physicists. All participants, regardless of profession, reported high stress levels associated with both patient-centred and organisational stressors. Participants scored high in all three domains of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment. Interestingly, although organisational stressors predicted higher emotional exhaustion and emotional exhaustion predicted lower job satisfaction, patient stressors were associated with higher job satisfaction. Job satisfaction initiatives such as ongoing education, mentoring and role extension were supported by many participants as was addressing organisational stressors, such as lack of recognition and support from management and unrealistic expectations and demands. New Zealand staff exhibit higher levels of burnout than Maslach Burnout Inventory medical norms and oncology workers in previous international studies.

Job satisfaction and its relationship to Radiation Protection Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (RP-KAP) of Iranian radiation workers

“…Consistent with our study, Magnavita et al (11) declared that only 49% of diagnostic radiologists were satisfied with their jobs. Another study among oncology staff in radiation oncology departments in New Zealand found a high level of job satisfaction (3.75 mean score out of 5) (12). A 2013 study of Japanese radiologists reported that 67.8% respondents were very or somewhat satisfied with their current job (13).…”

Early Career Resilience: Interdisciplinary Insights to Support Professional Education of Radiation Therapists

“…A number of studies across a range of countries have indicated a proportion of the radiotherapy workforce maybe suffering from burnout (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). With average Emotional Exhaustion (EE) scores (from the Maslach Burnout Inventory-MBI(6)) ranging from 22.9-30.3 (1,3,4) reported across countries; MBI norm for EE is 20.9) .…”

“…With average Emotional Exhaustion (EE) scores (from the Maslach Burnout Inventory-MBI(6)) ranging from 22.9-30.3 (1,3,4) reported across countries; MBI norm for EE is 20.9) . High levels of emotional exhaustion EE are indicated by EE score ≥27.…”

Untitled

“…Jasperse [11] study identified that "Ongoing education, mentoring, post-graduate study, role extension, clinical supervision and psychosocial support would increase job satisfaction and help alleviate occupational stressors for New Zealand oncology workers [12]". In that way organization can address and provide support the employee to reduce their stressor via engaging them in order to enhance their motivation and work condition.…”