Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in a Burned-Out Oncologist

Considering the established intertwined relationships between burnout and other psychiatric disorders, this study aimed to clarify the existing levels of depression, anxiety, stress, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment and their relationship among oncologists-a seemingly professional group at risk for mental health issues development.

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in January 2024, involving 159 oncologists from Serbia and the Serbian Republic. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics and working conditons, depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout using validated scales-the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey.

Results indicate that respondents were mildly depressed, moderately anxious, and mildly stressed overall. Regarding three dimensions of burnout respondents have moderate emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. No significant differences were found in depression, anxiety, and stress among medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists. Whether the respondents are seeing a psychiatrist and/or undergoing psychiatric therapy was predictive of depression, anxiety, and stress. Economic status was predictive for depression and stress, while an additional predictive factor of anxiety was the presence of somatic illness. Further analysis showed depression and stress levels can be predicted by all three dimensions of burnout, whereas anxiety levels can be predicted by the level of depersonalization.

These findings emphasize the complex interplay between burnout and other mental health disorders in oncologists, highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions and support systems within the oncology field to mitigate the psychological toll on these physicians.