Burnout syndrome in surgical oncology and general surgery nurses: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Purpose The occurrence of burnout syndrome is strongly associated with and modulated by multiple personality and environmental factors. In Poland, nurses experience a discrepancy between the demands, expectations and social status of the position of their profession and low salaries. Such a...

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Published in:European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society 2011-09, Vol.15 (4), p.347-350
Main Authors: Książek, Ilona, Stefaniak, Tomasz J, Stadnyk, Magdalena, Książek, Janina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Burden
Burnout
Burnout syndrome
Burnout, Professional - nursing
Cross-Sectional Studies
Emotional tiredness
Female
Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms - nursing
Neoplasms - surgery
Nurse
Nurses
Nursing
Nursing Staff, Hospital
Oncology
Poland
Surgery
Surgical nursing
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Abstract Purpose The occurrence of burnout syndrome is strongly associated with and modulated by multiple personality and environmental factors. In Poland, nurses experience a discrepancy between the demands, expectations and social status of the position of their profession and low salaries. Such a situation provokes frustration and depression, and further leads to problems of adaptation including burnout syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of burnout syndrome among nurses working in general surgery and surgical oncology specialties. Methods The study was designed as a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. It was undertaken in the largest Hospital in the Pomeranian region of Poland. The participants included 60 nurses working in two departments: General Surgery and Surgical Oncology. The study was based upon an anonymous self-test composed of a questionnaire and three psychological measures: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Psychological Burden Scale and a self-constructed questionnaire on job satisfaction. Results Intensity of burnout syndrome was significantly higher among oncology nurses than among surgical ones. There was also a strong but not significant trend towards higher Psychological Burden Scale in the group of oncology nurses. Conclusions The study revealed a high degree of emotional burden and burnout in nurses working in the study hospital suggesting that nurses are at great occupational risk. The findings of the study provide evidence of the potential need to restructure the system and suggest that nurses need more control of their work including a higher degree of involvement in clinical decision-making.
ISSN:1462-3889
1532-2122
DOI:10.1016/j.ejon.2010.09.002