Benessere, fonti di stress e strategie di coping in un campione di medici oncologi

62 THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN ONCOGENETIC COUNSELLING

Well-being of physicians who work in oncology unit and in BMT unit: analysis of protective factors from work stress

Background. Recently a great deal of attention has been given on doctors' work related stress and possibility of improving their quality of life. Several studies report that oncologists are overloaded psychologically. Contact with serious diseases, excessive working pressure, structural weaknesses, are some of the factors that predispose oncologists to stress. In 2008, at the ASPHO annual meeting, pediatric hematologists/oncologists noted burnout (considered as a result of protracted stress at work) was a significant challenge in their lives. To date, no studies have extensively ruled out on protective factors from work stress among pediatric oncologists. Aims. Our research investigates the…

Well-being among Italian medical oncologists: An exploratory study

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Recently, attention has been focused on physicians' stress and quality-of-life improvement. Due to their relationship with patients, oncologists in particular are overloaded physically, emotionally and psychologically. Previous studies showed that training of communication skills improves the satisfaction and well-being of physicians and patients. <b><i>Aims:</i></b> Our research investigates the relationship between work stress and engagement and personal well-being in physicians working in Italian hospitals. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> 176 physicians were included. Doctors filled out…

The relation between socio-relational self-efficacy and work engagement in an Italian sample of social workers

This study examined how much in social workers the confidence about perceived socio-relational competencies is related to work engagement. We used a questionnaire delevoped to assess the socio- relational self-efficacy (according to the Bandura’s theory), and the UWES (Schaufeli & Bakker, 2003), a measure of work engagement, defined as a positive, fulfilling work-related state of mind. Subjects were interviewed in therapeutic commu- nities (for drug addicts, for abused women etc.) or family communities. It was found that some aspects of relational competence (like to feel able to understand others’ feelings) are strongly related to work engagement.

Protection from work stress and burnout in Italian oncologists

Oncology is a field of medicine with an high psychological investment and therefore at high risk for burnout (Gandey, 2006). Is possible to identify the causes of burnout in the complex combination of environmental stressors, including factors that are closely related to oncology and elements of the personality of the subjects (Guarino, 2006). This work aims to explore burnout risk, job satisfaction, quality of life and coping styles in a sample of physicians that works in some Italian oncological units. We used the Health Professions Stress and Coping Scale, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the General Health Questionnaire and a scale that explore the socio-relational perceived skills. T…

THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN ONCOGENETIC COUNSELLING

Background: As result of the recent developments in DNA testing and the knowledge that cancer can be hereditary, it is now possible to offer genetic counselling to people within identified “cancer families”, and to inform them about their assumed increased risk for developing cancer. The aim of this study was to test the role of psychological aspect in oncogenetic counselling. The primary purpose of the research was to evaluate the difference between Anxiety Trait and Anxiety State in subjects going to oncogenetic counselling. The secondary aim was to explore the relationships between alexithymia, personality trait, coping style, psychological distress, in subjects attending genetic counsel…

WELL-BEING, SOURCES OF STRESS AND COPING STRATEGIES IN A SAMPLE OF ONCOLOGISTS

Background: Several studies have highlighted that some professional categories, called: ‘helping professions’, appear, more than other professions, to be subjected to sources of stress and the connected risks of burn-out. In particular personnel working in oncology face potentially stressful situations and having to deal daily with the needs and concerns of the patients and their families. It is therefore necessary to understand the variables that can limit the impact of stress. This research seeks to explore the degree of personal well-being of the oncologists interviewed, taking into consideration some possible predictors, such as the age and specific trainings (i.e. in diagnosis communic…

Well-being of physicians: protective factors from work stress in a sample of Italian oncologists

Background: Recently a great deal of attention has been focused on doctors' work related stress and the possibility of improving their quality of life. Several studies report that healthcare professionals, especially oncologists, are overloaded physically, emotionally and psychologically. They develop a confidential relationship with their patients through close contact and interpersonal communication. Previous studies in the field of healthcare have shown that communication skills training improves the sense of satisfaction and well-being of physicians and patients. Aims: Our research investigates the relationship between Work Stress, Work Engagement and Personal Well-being in a sample of …