engleski

Correlation between psychological resilience and burnout syndrome in oncologists

Background Oncologists are predisposed to developing the burnout syndrome. Psychological resilience implies the ability to maintain a stable mental state when exposed to stressful situations and adversity. The aim of the research is to examine the correlation between psychological resilience and burnout syndrome in a sample of Croatian oncologists. Methods The cross- sectional study was conducted through an anonymous self-reporting questionnaire electronically distributed by Croatian Association of Medical Oncologist to all oncologists working in hospitals in the Republic of Croatia, specialists and residents (130 in total). The questionnaire, which was available for completion from 6 to 24 September 2021, included questions on demographics, the OLdenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), which consists of two subscales: exhaustion and disengagement (from work), and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Results A total of 75 responses were received, with the response rate being 57, 7%. According to the results on the OLBI, 12.3% of respondents show a low level of burnout, 68.5% moderate, and 19.2% show a high level of burnout. Regarding the results on BRS, 23.0% show a low level of psychological resilience, 48.6% moderate, and 28.4% a high level of psychological resilience. There is statistically significant negative correlation between psychological resilience and exhaustion subscale (r = -.54 ; p <0.001) as well as between psychological resilience and the overall result on the OLBI (r = -.46 ; p <0.001). Also, oncologists with different levels of resilience have significantly different overall scores on OLBI. Scheffe's post hoc test showed that oncologists with a high level of resilience (M = 2.89 ; SD = 0.487) achieved a statistically significantly lower overall score on the OLBI compared to oncologists with a low level of resilience (M = 2.52 ; SD = 0.493). Conclusions Oncologists with a high level of psychological resilience are at significantly less risk of developing the burnout syndrome. Interventions to encourage psychological resilience in oncologists should be planned and applied. It would lead to a reduction of burnout, and consequently to better productivity of oncologist, greater satisfaction of their patients and better treatment outcomes.

psychological resilience ; burnout syndrome ; oncologists

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