title: The psychosocial work environment among physicians employed at Danish oncology departments in 2009. A nationwide cross-sectional study.
abstract: Working as a physician at an oncology department has some distinctive characteristics that may lead to a stressful work environment. The present study was conducted to provide a nationwide description of the work conditions of all oncologists in Denmark. By comparing the results of the present study with those of a similar study carried out in 2006, the aim was furthermore to elucidate changes in the psychosocial work environment over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May to September 2009, 330 physicians employed at six oncology centres and seven community based oncology departments were invited to participate in a survey based on the short version of the COPSOQ II questionnaire. The results were compared with data from a representative section of Danish employees and with data from the 2006 survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and twenty of the 330 invited physicians returned the questionnaire (response rate 67%). Concerning the aspects quantitative demands, work pace, emotional demands, influence, burnout and stress, the oncologists reported worse work conditions than the average Danish employee. However, with regard to possibilities for development, meaning of work and commitment to workplace, the oncologists reported better work conditions. Between 2006 and 2009, substantial improvement was seen concerning several of the assessed work environment aspects within the group of young physicians at the oncology centres.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though substantial improvement of the work conditions has been achieved between 2006 and 2009, certain aspects of the psychosocial work environment at Danish oncology departments still require attention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. nicolaj@oncology.dk
authors.forename: Christian Nicolaj
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Andreassen
authors.forename: Jesper Grau
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Eriksen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*