Prevalence of burnout and psycho-emotional disorders among non-health workers: a single tertiary care pediatric oncology center experience.

Abstract

Background: According to scientific literature, burnout can be described as a multidimensional syndrome with three fundamental dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment. Every day, clown-doctors, play therapists, teachers and volunteers, such as ceramic art therapists, work in pediatric cancer wards to improve the quality of life of hospitalized children and activate positive resources during their therapeutic journey.

Methods: This study investigated burnout levels and the relationship between work-related stress and resilience in a total of 36 operators (clown-doctors, in-hospital teachers, play therapists, and ceramic art therapists), working at the Unit of Pediatric Oncology of IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation in Rome, Italy. All participants completed a battery of questionnaires to evaluate burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory) and resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale).

Results: The results of this study show that these workers are exposed to work-related stress and that the burnout levels are not homogeneous across the various groups considered. The results also show the need to provide non-health hospital workers with a psychological support service or ensure the presence of a mental health professional to help them avoid the risk of burnout.

Conclusions: The heavy emotional burden endured by these operators makes them vulnerable and exposes them to burnout.