ORIGINAL PAPER
Current incidence of professional burnout among Ukrainian oncologists in Kharkiv
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1
Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
(Institute of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine)
2
Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
(Department of Hygiene and Ecology No. 2)
3
Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
(Department of Internal and Occupational Diseases)
4
National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine
(Grigoryev Institute of Medical Radiology and Oncology)
5
Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
(Department of Neurology)
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Online publication date: 2023-10-10
Corresponding author
Beatrice Thielmann
Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Leipziger Str. 44,
39120 Magdeburg, Germany
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(6):717-31
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and the military conflicts in Ukraine suggest that workrelated
stressors increased during these crises increases work-related stress reactions. Burnout as a long-term consequence of insufficiently compensated
for workloads. The regional prevalence of burnout is particularly high among oncologists. The aim of this study was to assess the current
risk of burnout within this group of physicians and to examine gender differences through gender-based analysis. Material and Methods: Thirtyseven
oncologists (17 men and 20 women aged 46.5±13.6 years [range 26–74 years]) in Kharkiv, Ukraine, participated. The Maslach Burnout Inventory
– General Survey (MBI-GS) questionnaire was used to determine the extent of occupational. Results: Gender, age, and work experience had no
effect on the following results. Women demonstrated higher scores in emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment of the MBI than men.
In contrast, men offered higher cynicism scores. The MBI total score was also higher for the male oncologists. Only 1 person of the total sample had risk of burnout. Conclusions: The results showed a high prevalence of burnout symptoms among Ukrainian oncologists without gender differences.
From occupational health perspective behavioral and behavior-preventive measures are needed for clinics and oncologists to counteract the burnout symptoms, e.g. exhaustion or cyniscism. Further studies are needed here to examine the effectiveness of these measures. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(6):717–3