The Effect of Family and Workplace Characteristics on the Burnout Level of Radiographers Working in Oncology Patient Care

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our study was to explore the burnout rate of radiographers working in oncology patient care. Materials and methods: Our cross-sectional, targeted non-random sampled research was carried out from June 2018 to September 2018. We used the Maslach Burnout Inventory supplemented with our own questionnaire for online data collection. In addition to demographic aspects, we collected data about job characteristics to examine predictors of burnout. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, two-sampled t-test, analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used at 95% confidence level (p=0.05). Results: We analyzed the data of 72 radiographers working in oncology patient care (n=72) and 332 radiographers working in other fields of patient care (n=332). Radiographers working in oncology patient care were characterized by a significantly increased value of emotional exhaustion (p=0.001). Respondents who were single, provided monthly on-call duty and held university degree showed depersonalization (p=0.001). The presence of a secondary job, working more than 40 hours of work per week and active participation in on-call duty services had a negative effect on emotional exhaustion (p=0.001). Respondents with more than one child in their household showed a significantly better value of personal accomplishment (p=0.001). The subjective assessesment of poor financial status had negative effect on all three dimensions of burnout (p=0.001). Conclusion: The mean values of the emotional exhaustion of radiograhers working in oncology patient care increased significantly. The observed elevated value of personal accomplishment shows a sign of positive feedback coming from the patients towards the radiographer.