title: Demands and rewards associated with working in pediatric oncology: a qualitative study of Canadian health care providers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite recent advances in the outcome of children with cancer, the demands on medical professionals caring for these patients can be intense. Our qualitative study explored the work-related demands and rewards experienced by Canadian pediatric oncology staff.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were conducted with 33 staff members (10 oncologists, 3 subspecialty residents, 9 nurses, 5 social workers, and 6 child life specialists) from 4 hospitals. Participants were asked to describe work-related rewards and demands. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were analyzed to identify all sources of demands and rewards.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pediatric oncology staff described work-related rewards and demands related to the following areas: (1) working with children; (2) working with families; (3) working within a multidisciplinary health care team; (4) working in a pediatric oncology unit; and (5) working within a hospital or academic health center. Overall, health care providers described their job as fulfilling and meaningful. For most health care providers, many work-related issues were described as both rewarding and demanding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study identifies important demands and rewards associated with working in pediatric oncology. Future research could explore the relationship between work-related stress and job satisfaction and how these factors either cause or prevent burnout syndrome.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ddix@cw.bc.ca
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Dix
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Gulati
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Robinson
authors: Iqra
authors: I
authors: Syed
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Klassen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010372:Pediatrics; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011379:Prognosis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012201:Reward; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology