The well-being and personal wellness promotion strategies of medical oncologists in the North Central Cancer Treatment Group.
OBJECTIVE
The well-being of oncologists is important to the well-being of their patients. While much is known about oncologist distress, little is known about oncologist well-being. We set out to evaluate oncologist well-being and the personal wellness promotion strategies used by oncologists.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional survey of medical oncologists in the North Central Cancer Treatment Group using a validated instrument to measure quality of life. Study-specific questions explored stressors, wellness promotion strategies and career satisfaction.


RESULTS
Of 241 responding oncologists (response rate 61%), 121 (50%) reported high overall well-being. Being age 50 or younger (57 vs. 41%; p = 0.01), male (53 vs. 31%; p = 0.01) and working 60 h or less per week (50 vs. 33%; p = 0.005) were associated with increased overall well-being on bivariate analysis. Ratings of the importance of a number of personal wellness promotion strategies differed for oncologists with high well-being compared with those without high well-being. Developing an approach/philosophy to dealing with death and end-of-life care, using recreation/hobbies/exercise, taking a positive outlook and incorporating a philosophy of balance between personal and professional life were all rated as substantially more important wellness strategies by oncologists with high well-being (p values <0.001). Oncologists with high overall well-being also reported greater career satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Half of medical oncologists experience high overall well-being. Use of specific personal wellness promotion strategies appears to be associated with oncologist well-being. Further investigations of the prevalence, promotion, causes, inequities and clinical impact of physician well-being are needed. .
Shanafelt
Tait D
TD
Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., USA. shanafelt.tait@mayo.edu
Novotny
Paul
P
Johnson
Mary E
ME
Zhao
Xinghua
X
Steensma
David P
DP
Lacy
Martha Q
MQ
Rubin
Joseph
J
Sloan
Jeff
J
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D029181:Spirituality; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce