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Do factors of emotion-focussed patient care and communication impact job stress, satisfaction and burnout in radiation therapists?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2013

Justine Diggens  and
Therese Chesson
Justine Diggens*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrews Place, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Therese Chesson
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Therapy Services, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrews Place, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
*
Correspondence to: Justine Diggens, Department of Clinical Psychology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia. Tel: ++61 3 96561440. Fax: ++61 3 96561095. E-mail: justine.diggens@petermac.org
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Abstract

Objectives

To investigate levels and sources of job stress, job satisfaction and burnout experienced by radiation therapists (RTs) in an Australian cancer hospital, and determine the factors of emotion-focussed patient care and communication that contribute to RTs’ stress and burnout.

Methods

One hundred and thirteen RTs working in a dedicated cancer hospital in Australia completed a self-report questionnaire.

Results

Twelve percent of RTs reported job stress while 73·5% reported job satisfaction in their current work roles. Up to 19% of RTs experienced burnout as measured on the Maslach Burnout Inventory scales. Emotion-focussed care and communication with patients was found to have links with job stress and burnout, but also with job reward and satisfaction. A range of organisational, personal and support factors were associated with RTs’ experiences, including training and confidence in emotion-focussed patient communication.

Conclusion

Emotion-focussed care and patient communication contributes to both job stress and burnout, as well as job satisfaction. RTs’ experience of job stress, satisfaction or burnout are likely to vary according to a range of personal, demographic and organisational factors.

Keywords

burnoutcommunicationconfidencejob satisfactionjob stress
Type
Original Articles
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , March 2014 , pp. 4 - 17
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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