The meaning of cancer and oncology nursing: Link to effective care (original) (raw)

Burnout in Oncology: a study of Nursing professionals

Objective: To verify if licensed practical nurses and Nursing technicians working at an Oncology department present burnout syndrome. Methods: Data of 21 licensed practical nurses and Nursing technicians who had worked for, at least, one year at the Oncology department of a large hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were collected. The burnout inventory developed by Maslach and Jackson was used. results: The studied population presented burnout based on scores in each of its three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and lack of personal accomplishment. As to burnout symptoms, this study showed that 28.6% of the sample presented high scores in "emotional exhaustion"; 28.6% had high scores in "depersonalization" and 19.1% in lack of "personal accomplishment". conclusions: When compared to other studies with nurses, this sample presented greater burnout.

Oncology nursing: Finding the balance in a changing health care system

Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 2006

Health care restructuring has resulted in significant changes in the workload and work environment for oncology nurses. While recent studies describe the impact of these changes on the general nursing workforce in several countries, there have been no published studies that have focused on worklife issues of Canadian oncology nurses. Therefore, a qualitative study was conducted to gain insight about how oncology nursing has changed over the past decade and how Canadian oncology nurses are managing these changes. Analysis of telephone interviews with 51 practising oncology nurses employed across Canada revealed three major themes. The first theme, "health care milieu", portrayed a picture of the cancer care environment and patient and professional changes that occurred over the past decade. The second theme, "conflicting demands", reflects how the elements of change and social forces have challenged professional oncology nursing practice. The third theme, "finding the way", describes the patterns of behaviour that nurses used to manage the changing health care environment and make meaning out of nurses' work in cancer care. Overall, the findings portray a picture of Canadian oncology nurses in "survival mode". They face many workplace challenges, but are able to keep going "for now" because they find ways to balance their responsibilities on a daily basis and because they know and believe that their specialized nursing knowledge and skills make a difference in patient care.

Differential Effectiveness of Coping in Managing Stress and Burnout in Oncology Nurses

High levels of stress experienced by primary care oncology nursing staff, and the competency impairment which results from such stress, has become a matter of much concern in health care settings. This study was conducted to identify the coping strategies employed by oncology nurses, and to relate these strategies to differential indices of stress and burnout. Oncology nurses (N=133) at a comprehensive cancer center completed the Ways of Coping (WC)

Practical Self-Care and Stress Management for Oncology Nurses

2012

This paper aims to discuss notions of supportive care, stress for oncology nurses in provision of such care, and practical strategies for stress management. Role-related stress and burn-out in oncology nurses are challenges that require effective management at both organisational and personal levels. Oncology nurses, as do others, strive to provide exemplary nursing care for people affected by cancer, and their families. These needs reach across the physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual dimensions, and change over time from diagnosis through to end of life. One source of stress for many oncology nurses is the attempt to manage tensions that arise from trying to provide a person-centred approach to care in a biomedically driven and physically focused health care delivery system. The key concepts of self-awareness, self-care and resilience will be discussed and specific practices that empower nurses to better management stress will be presented.

Stress levels in nursing staff working in oncology

2001

Care of cancer patients may be a source of considerable stress. As part of a large scale longitudinal study of the interaction of biological, psychological and environmental factors in determining patient outcome, the mental and physical health status of 37 members of the nursing staff of a cancer hospital was examined. The study identifies risk factors for stress, professional 'burn-out' and psychiatric morbidity. An assessment questionnaire also examined work time, work organization, relationships with colleagues, identification of stressful situations, and treatment of pain. Each subject completed three scales designed to measure stress and psychiatric morbidity: the Nursing Stress Scale, the Maslasch Burnout Inventory and the General Health Questionnaire. Item analysis suggested that stress is primarily related to inadequate training, lack of time to deal with the psychological component of care giving especially terminal care, and relationship difficulties with other medical staff. Multiple analysis of correspondence indicated that in the face of stress, risk factors for professional burnout are high psychiatric symptomatology, lack of information at the time of diagnosis, poor perceived health, relationship difficulties with patients and their families, and work uncertainties.

Burnout in nurses and physicians working at an oncology department

Psycho-Oncology, 2009

Purpose: Burnout is associated with decreased job performance and commitment, predicts stress-related health problems, and low career satisfaction. The specific objectives in our study were to assess the levels of burnout and to investigate the interrelationships between demographic characteristics and burnout health-care professionals working with cancer patients in Turkey.

Burnout in Healthcare Professionals in Oncology

Procedia Economics and Finance, 2015

Healthcare professionals working with cancer patients have considerable risk for burnout. Nevertheless we know not enough about the burnout prevalence in oncological healthcare in Spain. This study aimed at estimating burnout levels of oncology professionals and at assessing satisfaction and work difficulties. 115 professionals answered the Maslach Burnout Inventory, a satisfaction questionnaire, and questions about difficulties and improvements. Results revealed a considerable number of professionals with burnout showing physicians a higher level than nurses. Burnout was negatively related to aspects of work satisfaction. Difficulties were work overload, communication and emotional aspects with patients and colleagues. Improvements dealt with organizational and individual aspects. Results are useful for prevention and intervention programs. Future research should analyze the work situation and personal factors.