Dual role as a protective factor for burnout-related depersonalization in oncologists.
This study compared self-reported burnout between dual-role oncologists (oncologists who also do psychosocial work) and single-role oncologists, to explore if dual role is protective against or a risk factor for burnout.



Dual-role oncologists from across China (n = 131) were consecutively recruited via the Chinese Psychosocial Oncology Society and asked to identify single-role oncologist peers (n = 168) working in the same institution. Participants completed an anonymous online questionnaire, which included measures of demographic and work characteristics, Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, the Short Version Effort-Reward Inventory, the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Scales, and Work and Meaning Inventory. Fully adjusted multivariate analyses compared burnout scores for the 2 groups.



Group analysis revealed single-role participants' scores indicated significantly poorer performance than dual-role participants for depersonalization (DP), work-family conflict (JD-R demands scale), and decision authority (JD-R scale). Single-role participants showed an increased risk of DP. Higher effort-reward imbalance ratio predicted greater DP in single-, dual-role and pooled participants, and emotional exhaustion (EE) in pooled- and dual-role participants. Overcommitment was independently associated with EE in all 3 groupings, with JD-R scores among pooled- and dual-role groups, while higher decision authority scores were associated with decreased EE. Work and Meaning Inventory was associated with a decreased risk of DP among pooled and dual-role participants.



Differences in burnout-related DP scores between dual- and single-role oncologists are consistent with a protective effect from a psychosocial orientation in oncologists.
Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Psycho-Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.
Yi
Y
He
Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Psycho-Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.
Ying
Y
Pang
Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Psycho-Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.
Yening
Y
Zhang
Centre for Psycho-oncology Research & Training, Division of Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Richard
R
Fielding
Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Psycho-Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.
Lili
0000-0001-9810-2053
L
Tang
D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China; D003861:Depersonalization / Q000523:psychology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000072103:Oncologists / Q000523:psychology*; D065840:Protective Factors; D012201:Reward; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
Job demands-resources; burnout; cancer; effort-reward imbalance; oncology; psychosocial oncology