In JCO Oncology Advances, Schenkel et al published the results of an ASCO survey measuring professional well-being, satisfaction, and the effect of both on career plans among oncologists in the United States. The analysis revealed a higher rate of burnout compared with that observed a decade ago.
“Given the amount of time and effort it takes to train oncologists, any attrition in the workforce before typical retirement age reduces the bandwidth to provide cancer care nationwide,” commented Associate Editor Mark Lewis, MD, FASCO, of Intermountain Healthcare, Murray, Utah, in a statement. “It is also important to understand (and mitigate) avoidable factors that reduce physician job satisfaction to increase retention and professional longevity.”
Survey Details
A 26-item questionnaire was developed by ASCO to survey U.S.-based oncologists in patient care roles about their professional well-being and satisfaction, as well as the effect of both on their career plans. Two single-item measures—emotional exhaustion and depersonalization—from the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel were included and used to assess burnout.
Oncologists from all specialties (eg, medical, surgical, radiation) who had been treating patients for at least 6 hours per week at the time of the survey were eligible to participate. The responses from 328 oncologists in the 2023 sample were analyzed, and the data were compared with those collected from 1,117 respondents in 2013.
Key Survey Results
The rate of burnout was found to be significantly higher among the 2023 respondents compared with those who completed the survey in 2013 (59% vs 45%; P < .01). In 2013 vs 2023, nearly 35% vs less than 25% of respondents, respectively, reported feeling satisfied with their work-life integration (P < .01). Burnout appeared to be significantly associated with being a caregiver in one’s personal life, being younger than age 50, and working more than 60 hours per week (all P < .05). More than 20% of respondents reported that they would likely or definitely reduce their clinical hours within the next 12 months. The survey identified additional practice and administrative support and reducing work hours as potential solutions to improve job satisfaction.
The investigators concluded: “Recent developments in cancer care and demographic shifts are creating concern about a mismatch between patient need/demand for care and the supply of oncologists to provide it. Future research is needed to assess whether the prevalence of burnout continues to trend upward. Creating innovative system solutions to improve the practice environment are needed and should focus on addressing the root causes of oncologist distress.”
Laura A. Levit, JD, of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Alexandria, Virginia, is the corresponding author of the JCO Oncology Advances article.
Disclosure: The study was funded by Pharmacyclics, GlaxoSmithKline, Genentech, Celgene, Hospira, Cephalon, and Polyphenon E International. For full disclosures of the study authors, visit ascopubs.org.
