title: Quality of life of surgical oncology residents and fellows across Europe.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data are currently lacking regarding the quality of life of surgical oncology (SO) trainees. We sought to assess the training conditions and quality of life of SO residents and fellows across Europe.
  
  
  METHODS
  Members of the European Society for Surgical Oncology were invited to complete a Web-based survey that included a questionnaire specifically designed for SO trainees. Demographics, timing, and incentive to choose for SO, quality of life, and symptoms of fatigue, sleepiness, depression, and burnout, as well as self-reported medical errors, were assessed using validated instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey was completed by 109 residents and 53 fellows (mean age 34.6 ± 8.2). The mean Linear Analog Scale Assessment score for quality of life was 34.8 ± 8.6 out of a possible 50. A low level of fatigue was declared by 60% of the trainees. However, 44% scored an abnormal Epworth Sleepiness score, which was mostly related to in-hospital work time and lack of educational programs. High positive screenings regarding depression (51%) and burnout (25%) were associated with resident status and lack of mentorship, respectively. Major medical errors during the last 3 months were self-reported by 20% of the trainees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Europe, the perceived quality of life is overall acceptable among trainees in SO. However, the present study demonstrated a high level of sleepiness, depression, and burnout symptoms. Additional work is required to identify and overcome the underlying causes of these symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie thoracique, HEGP, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France. Electronic address: pmordant@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mordant
authors.affiliation: Département de chirurgie ORL, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deneuve
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie thoracique, CHU Haut Lévèque, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.affiliation: Département de chirurgie oncologique, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carrabin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J Sven
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Mieog
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Karaganda State Medical University, Karaganda city, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Nikolay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Malyshev
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joost R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Van Der Vorst
authors.affiliation: St Helens Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, St Helens, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Riccardo A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Audisio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D005060:Europe; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011788:Quality of Life; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Systems-Based Practice; burnout; depression; education; fatigue; surgical oncology