Open AccessA cross‐sectional study of stressors and coping mechanisms used by radiation therapists and oncology nurses: Resilience in Cancer Care Study
Author(s) -
Poulsen Michael G.,
Poulsen Anne A.,
Baumann Kathryn C.,
McQuitty Simon,
Sharpley Christopher F.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of medical radiation sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.484
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2051-3909
pISSN - 2051-3895
DOI - 10.1002/jmrs.87
Subject(s) - stressor , coping (psychology) , burnout , anxiety , clinical psychology , workload , occupational stress , medicine , mental health , psychology , avoidance coping , psychiatry , computer science , operating system
Occupational stress and burnout are well‐recognised experiences reported by cancer care workers. The aim was to describe the frequency and severity of potential stressors as well as the effectiveness of coping skills of radiation therapists ( RT s) and oncology nurses ( ON s), which make up the two largest occupational groups in cancer care. Methods A questionnaire was distributed to RT s and ON s in two large tertiary hospitals in Queensland. Descriptive data regarding severity of potential stressors at home and work as well as the perceived effectiveness of preferred coping styles for each stressor was compared for each professional group. Respondents were asked questions about their personal circumstances and to also complete five standardised questionnaires measuring resilience, mental well‐being, depression, anxiety and burnout. Results There were 71 respondents representing a response rate of 26%. The types of stressors differed between the two groups but both reported that heavy workload was the most severe workplace stressor. RT s reported higher stressor and coping strategy frequency than ON s. There were no identifiable differences between RT s and ON s in the types or effectiveness of coping strategies employed at home or work. Mental well‐being for both groups was inversely correlated with depression, anxiety and burnout and positively correlated with resilience. Conclusions RT s experienced higher mean scores for stressors and coping than ON s. There were no significant between‐group differences for anxiety, depression, burnout, mental well‐being or resilience.