International research indicates that oncology care workers are exposed to a variety of unique occupational stressors that put them at significant risk of burnout (Akroyd, Caison & Adams, 2002; Girgisa, Hansena & Goldstein, 2009; Le Blanc & Schaufeli, 2003; Probst & Griffiths, 2012, 2007). This has severe implications for job satisfaction, the retention of staff and arguably the quality of care cancer patients receive whilst on treatment. The current study aimed to obtain a national indication of stress associated with occupational stressors, burnout and job satisfaction within New Zealand. Potential indicators of burnout and job satisfaction were explored, as well as job satisfaction initiatives.
All oncology care workers, currently practicing in New Zealand were invited to participate anonymously in a questionnaire hosted on SurveyMonkey. The questionnaire contained questions addressing participant characteristics, such as age, work experience and position. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was incorporated in order to make direct comparisons with previously published studies, and scales measuring the intensity of stress associated with specific occupational stressors, stress reduction strategies and job satisfaction were included. Incomplete responses were excluded and 171 responses were exported and analysed with SPSS 19. Of the 171 responses, 23 identified as oncologists (radiation or medical; Os), 111 identified as radiation therapists (RTs), 22 identified as radiation nurses (RNs) and 15 identified as radiation physicists (RPs).
Overall Oncology care workers in New Zealand exhibited higher levels of burnout than MBI medical norms and international studies conducted in Europe, North America and Australia. In contrast to previous studies, indications of personal accomplishment and job satisfaction were incredibly high. This indicates that oncology care workers in New Zealand may be more at risk of compromising their wellbeing, compelled by the sense of personal accomplishment and satisfaction they derive from their chosen profession.
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