title: Career burnout among pediatric oncologists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Burnout is a work-related syndrome consisting of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished feelings of personal accomplishment. Physicians who care for patients with life-threatening illnesses are at high risk for developing burnout. This survey evaluates the prevalence of burnout among pediatric oncologists, and assesses risk factors associated with the development of burnout.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was sent via email to 1,047 practicing pediatric oncologists. The survey included the 22 question Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), as well as questions regarding work-related and lifestyle-related factors associated with developing burnout.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred ten pediatric oncologists (40%) responded to the survey. Thirty-eight percent of pediatric oncologists had high levels of burnout on the MBI, while 72% had at least moderate levels of burnout. Women (47% vs. 32%, P < 0.004) and physicians practicing for <10 years (50% vs. 33%, P < 0.004) had significantly higher rates of burnout. Physicians who reported satisfaction with their lives outside of work were less likely to have burnout (odds ratio 0.238, 0.143-0.396, P < 0.001). The availability of a forum for debriefing, and services for physicians affected by burnout were both associated with lower rates of burnout (24% vs. 46%, P < 0.001 and 23% vs. 46%, P < 0.001). Thirty-six percent of respondents reported their institution has a forum for debriefing and 40% of respondents reported their institution has services available for physicians experiencing symptoms of burnout.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Approximately three quarters of pediatric oncologists experience burnout. Further research is needed on the effectiveness of interventions aimed at preventing and treating work-related burnout.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York 10467, USA. mroth@montefiore.org
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Morrone
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moody
authors.forename: Mimi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Alyson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moadel
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levy
mesh_terms: D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors