Abstract
PurposePrevious studies suggest that within radiation oncology, medical physicists (MP) experience high workloads. Little is known about how MPs use social support (SS) in times of stress.MethodsIn collaboration with the Workgroup on Prevention of Medical Error, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine administered this Human Investigation Committee (HIC) approved email survey to 8566 members. Respondents were considered likely to seek SS if they answered (probably/definitely would) and unlikely to seek support if they answered (probably/definitely would not). Logistic regression was applied to determine associations between demographic factors and willingness to seek support as well as perception of barriers.ResultsOne thousand two hundred and ninety‐seven members (15.1%) accessed and gave consent for the survey. One thousand and one (11.7%) respondents answered all relevant questions. Respondents were predominantly male (69.1%), MP in radiation oncology (81.8%), private practice (51.6%), with practice duration> 10 yr (60.2%). MPs were likely to seek SS for personal physical illness (78.63%), involvement in a medical error (73.94%) or adverse patient outcome (75.17%). MPs sought SS in the setting of personal fatigue (33.2%) or burnout (44.3%). Barriers to seeking SS were lack of time (80.3%), and uncertainty about whom to access (70.7%). MPs responded that they would be most likely to seek support from an equally experienced medical physicist colleague (81.0%). Most MPs (67.0%) identified as having experienced stressors, with serious family illness (35.2%), or burnout (32.8%) being most common. Factors associated with MPs unwillingness to seek SS for medical error included> 20 yr in practice (vs still in training — OR 0.30, P = 0.015), and male gender (OR 0.60, P = 0.003). Male gender was associated with the lowest willingness to seek support (OR 2.10, P = 0.0001), but also with fewer perceived barriers (OR 1.60, P = 0.0075).ConclusionWillingness to seek SS is demonstrated, and MPs want colleagues to provide support. Given these results, peer support could be considered among MPs.
Highlights
Among physicians, the provision of social support from trained peers in times of workplace‐associated stressors has become a major movement,[1,2] initially launched by a landmark survey in 2012.1 Such a system has been highly valued by clinicians, and cost effective for institutions.[3,4] As part of this, the physician realm has increasingly embraced programs aimed at providing peer support to their own, not just in the setting of medical error, and in times of other crisis and stress both personal and professional
One example may include when the physician is experiencing fatigue, or the feeling of tiredness and decreased energy that results from prolonged mental or physical exertion, such as increased work intensity or long work hours. Another example is physician burnout, when he or she is experiencing the physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress; burnout syndrome is characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness that results in depersonalization and decreased personal accomplishment at work
Interpersonal conflict outside the workplace aAdverse patient outcome — a poor outcome for the patient, which may be related to their underlying disease, a known potential complication to the treatment or procedure, or a suboptimal care process. bMedical error — a preventable adverse patient event. cBurnout — physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress; syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness that results in depersonalization and decreased personal accomplishment at work. dFatigue — the feeling of tiredness and decreased energy that results from prolonged mental or physical exertion, such as increased work intensity or long work hours
Summary
The provision of social support from trained peers in times of workplace‐associated stressors (e.g., burnout, medical error, or adverse patient events) has become a major movement,[1,2] initially launched by a landmark survey in 2012.1 Such a system has been highly valued by clinicians, and cost effective for institutions.[3,4] As part of this, the physician realm has increasingly embraced programs aimed at providing peer support to their own, not just in the setting of medical error, and in times of other crisis and stress both personal and professional. The physician realm has increasingly embraced programs aimed at providing peer support to their own, not just in the setting of medical error, and in times of other crisis and stress both personal and professional. One example may include when the physician is experiencing fatigue, or the feeling of tiredness and decreased energy that results from prolonged mental or physical exertion, such as increased work intensity or long work hours. Another example is physician burnout, when he or she is experiencing the physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress; burnout syndrome is characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness that results in depersonalization and decreased personal accomplishment at work. Being involved in peer support in either role fulfills many of the facets of recovery and resilience after error or other stressors
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