Abstract
Aim of the studyTo identify and quantify the major sources of workplace and non-workplace stress, plus commonly-used coping strategies among a group of cancer therapists.Subject or material and methodsIndividual personal interviews were conducted with 16 Radiation Therapists (RTs) and 13 Radiation Oncology Nurses (ONs) at two Brisbane hospitals.ResultsMajor workplace stressors were administration difficulties, patient issues, equipment and staffing issues; Major coping strategies included seeking help from mental health professionals, talking (with colleagues, supervisor, family), doing extra work, and doing nothing or withdrawing from work problems. Non-workplace stressors included family health and stress, relationship issues and financial problems. Coping strategies included taking time for self, exercise and acceptance.DiscussionThe variations in stressors and coping strategies between the hospitals and professional streams studied indicate that generic interventions to improve the well-being of workers are less likely to be successful than those that are tailored.ConclusionsProvision of psychotherapy services for cancer therapists require accurate data regarding their major stressors and coping styles. The findings from this study help focus those services for maximum effectiveness.
Highlights
To identify and quantify the major sources of workplace and non-workplace stress, plus commonly used coping strategies among a group of cancer therapists
Data on participants’ responses to questions about job satisfaction, job stress and control over their job are presented in Table 1, and suggest the presence of some differences between occupations and across sites
Statistical tests could not be performed on differences according to participants’ gender due to the small number of males in the sample, Chi-square tests for independence failed to indicate any significant differences in job satisfaction, job stress or job control according to either site or participants’ occupation, allowing the sample’s responses to be considered as a unit
Summary
To identify and quantify the major sources of workplace and non-workplace stress, plus commonly used coping strategies among a group of cancer therapists. Individual personal interviews were conducted with 16 radiation therapists (RTs) and 13 radiation oncology nurses (ONs) at two Brisbane hospitals. Major workplace stressors were administration difficulties, patient issues, equipment and staffing issues. Major coping strategies included seeking help from mental health professionals, talking (with colleagues, supervisor, family), doing extra work, and doing nothing or withdrawing from work problems. Non-workplace stressors included family health and stress, relationship issues and financial problems. Coping strategies included taking time for self, exercise and acceptance. Provision of psychotherapy services for cancer therapists requires accurate data regarding their major stressors and coping styles. The findings from this study help focus those services for maximum effectiveness
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
