Hostname: page-component-54dcc4c588-nx7b4 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-10-11T23:37:23.881Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effects of a multimodal training program on burnout syndrome in gynecologic oncology nurses and on the multidisciplinary psychosocial care of gynecologic cancer patients: An Italian experience

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 October 2012

F.N. Lupo ,
Paola Arnaboldi ,
L. Santoro ,
E. D'Anna ,
C. Beltrami ,
E.M. Mazzoleni ,
P. Veronesi ,
A. Maggioni  and
F. Didier
F.N. Lupo
Affiliation:
Psycho-oncology Unit, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan, Italy
Paola Arnaboldi*
Affiliation:
Psycho-oncology Unit, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan, Italy
L. Santoro
Affiliation:
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan, Italy
E. D'Anna
Affiliation:
Gynaecologic Division, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan, Italy
C. Beltrami
Affiliation:
Gynaecologic Division, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan, Italy
E.M. Mazzoleni
Affiliation:
Education and Training Office, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan, Italy
P. Veronesi
Affiliation:
Psychotherapy Group Association (APG), Milan, Italy
A. Maggioni
Affiliation:
Gynaecologic Division, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan, Italy
F. Didier
Affiliation:
Psycho-oncology Unit, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan, Italy
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Paola Arnaboldi, Unità di Psico-oncologia, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Via G. Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy. E-mail: paola.arnaboldi@ieo.it
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

In cancer care, the burden of psycho-emotional elements involved on the patient–healthcare provider relationship cannot be ignored. The aim of this work is to have an impact on the level of burnout experienced by European Institute of Oncology (IEO) gynecologic oncology nurses (N = 14) and on quality of multidisciplinary team work.

Method:

We designed a 12 session multimodal training program consisting of a 1.5 hour theoretical lesson on a specific issue related to gynecologic cancer patient care, 20 minute projection of a short film, and 1.75 hours of role-playing exercises and experiential exchanges. The Link Burnout Questionnaire (Santinello, 2007) was administered before and after the completion of the intervention. We also monitored the number of patients referred to the Psycho-oncology Service as an indicator of the efficacy of the multidisciplinary approach.

Results:

After the completion of the program, the general level of burnout significantly diminished (p = 0.02); in particular, a significant decrease was observed in the “personal inefficacy” subscale (p = 0.01). The number of patients referred to the Psycho-oncology Service increased by 50%.

Significance of results:

Nurses are in the first line of those seeing patients through the entire course of the disease. For this reason, they are at a particularly high risk of developing work-related distress. Structured training programs can be a valid answer to work-related distress, and feeling part of a multidisciplinary team helps in providing patients with better psychosocial care.

Keywords

BurnoutCinema therapyGynecologic oncology nursesMultimodal trainingMultidisciplinarity

Information

Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , June 2013 , pp. 199 - 203
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

REFERENCES

Astin, F., Closs, S.J. & Hughes, N. (2006). The self-reported learning style preferences of female Macmillan clinical nurse specialists. Nurse Education Today, 26, 475–483.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barnard, D., Street, A. & Love, A.W. (2006). Relationships between stressors, work supports and burnout among cancer nurses. Cancer Nursing, 29, 338–345.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Corney, R.H., Crowther, M.E. & Howells, A. (1993). Psychosexual dysfunction in women with gynaecologic cancer following radical pelvic surgery. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 100, 73–78.Google Scholar
Delvaux, N., Razavi, D., Marchal, S., et al. (2004). Effects of a 105 hours psychological training program on attitudes, communication skills and occupational stress in oncology: a randomized study. British Journal of Cancer, 90, 106–114.Google Scholar
Ford, S., Fallowfield, L. & Lewis, S. (1996). Doctor-patient interaction in oncology. Social Science and Medicine, 42, 1511–1519.Google Scholar
Furlotti, R., Pedrabissi, L. & Santinello, M. (1991). Burnout syndrome in human local services. 5th European Congress. “The Psychology of Work and Organization.” Rouen, 24–27/3.Google Scholar
Gray-Toft, P. & Anderson, J.G. (1980). The nursing stress scale: Development of an instrument. Journal of Behavioral Assessment, 3, 11–23.Google Scholar
Guex, P., Stiefel, F. & Rousselle, I. (2002). Communication: a central element in cancer research. French Journal of Psycho-oncology, 1, 43–46.Google Scholar
Johnson, R.L., Gold, M.A. & Wyche, F. (2010). Distress in women with gynaecologic cancer. Psycho-oncology, 19, 665–668.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kash, K.M., Holland, J.C., Breitbart, W., et al. (2000). Stress and burnout in oncology. Oncology, 14, 1621–1636.Google Scholar
Kornblith, A.B., Thaler, H., Wong, G., et al. (1995). Quality of life of women with ovarian cancer. Gynaecologic Oncology, 59, 231–242.Google Scholar
Loge, J.H., Kaasa, S. & Hytten, K. (1997). Disclosing the cancer diagnosis: The patients' experiences. European Journal of Cancer, 33, 878–882.Google Scholar
Maslach, C. & Jackson, S.E. (1981). MBI: Maslach Burnout Inventory. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press.Google Scholar
Quattrin, R., Zanini, N., Nascig, E., et al. (2006). Level of burnout among nurses working in oncology in an Italian region. Oncology Nursing Forum, 33, 4, 815–820.Google Scholar
Santinello, M. (2007). Link Burnout Questionnaire, Manuale. Firenze: Organizzazioni Speciali, 1–39.Google Scholar
Sichel, M. (1990). Quality of life and gynaecological cancers. European Journal of Gyanecologic Oncology, 11, 485–488.Google Scholar
Sivesind, D., Parker, P.A., Cohen, L., et al. (2003). Communicating with cancer patients in cancer care: what areas do nurses find most challenging?. Journal of Cancer Education, 18, 202–209.Google Scholar
Whippen, D.A. & Canellos, G.P. (1991). Burnout syndrome in the practice of oncology: results of a random survey of 1,000 oncologists. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 9, 1916–1920.Google Scholar
Zabora, J., Brintzenhofe Szoc, K., Curbow, B., et al. (2001). The prevalence of psychological distress by cancer site. Psycho-oncology, 10, 19–28.3.0.CO;2-6>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed