[Psychological health of oncologists: Determinants and consequences in care]

While many publications have been made on burnout of oncologists, few publications have been made on oncologists in France, and none focuses on positive markers of their psychological health. Our study is a national study that studies the role of exercise mode, determinants and consequences of positive markers of psychological health of oncologists in France.

The survey was disseminated to oncologists (n=606) by the learned societies or cooperative groups of the different cancer specialties from May to July 2022. The questionnaire assessed relationships between exercise mode, determinants and consequences for work, oncologist health and positive markers of psychological health.

French oncologists have high scores for positive markers of psychological health studied with differences according to speciality, status and mode of exercise. The determinants are the same, with inverse relationships, as those already known for burnout: negative impacts of the pro/personal life balance, perceived stress, workaholism, workload, professional isolation, positive impact of job recognition and management support. Important results concern the relationship of the factors studied with the health of oncologists, work behaviours but also in the relationship with patients (significant impact on empathy and compassion in care).

Our study highlights the managerial and organisational factors that need to be worked on in order to preserve the psychological health of oncologists.