Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://dx.doi.org/10.25673/101884
Title: Mental burden and moral distress among oncologists and oncology nurses in Germany during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic : a cross-sectional survey
Author(s): Sommerlatte, Sabine
Lugnier, CélineLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Schoffer, OlafLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Jahn, PatrickLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Kraeft, Anna-LenaLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Kourti, Eleni
Michl, PatrickLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Reinacher-Schick, Anke ClaudiaLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Schmitt, Jochen
Birkner, Thomas
Schildmann, JanLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Herpertz, StephanLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Issue Date: 2023
Type: Article
Language: English
Abstract: Purpose: There is evidence for mental burden and moral distress among healthcare workers during the pandemic. However, there is scarcity of analyses regarding possible correlations of mental burden and moral distress in this context. This study provides data to quantify mental burden and possible associations with moral distress among physicians and nurses working in oncology in Germany. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with physicians and nurses working in oncology in Germany between March and July 2021. Next to sociodemographic characteristics and working conditions, mental burden and moral distress were assessed using standardized instruments. Binary multivariate logistic regression using the enter method was performed in order to explore the relationship between mental burden and moral distress. Results: 121 physicians and 125 nurses were included in the study. Prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms, anxiety, somatic symptoms, burnout symptoms and moral distress was 19.2, 14.5, 12.7, 46.0 and 34.7% in physicians and 41.4, 24.0, 46.8, 46.6 and 60.0% in nurses respectively. Mental burden was significantly associated with moral distress, being female/diverse, younger age < 40 and increase in workload. Nurses who felt sufficiently protected from COVID-19 reported significantly less moral distress. Conclusion: To improve pandemic resilience, there is a need to ensure safe working environment including psychosocial support. Further evidence on risk and protective factors for moral distress is needed to be able to develop and implement strategies to protect healthcare workers within and beyond the pandemic.
URI: https://opendata.uni-halle.de//handle/1981185920/103835
http://dx.doi.org/10.25673/101884
Open Access: Open access publication
License: (CC BY 4.0) Creative Commons Attribution 4.0(CC BY 4.0) Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Journal Title: Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology
Publisher: Springer
Publisher Place: Berlin
Original Publication: 10.1007/s00432-023-04580-x
Appears in Collections:Open Access Publikationen der MLU

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