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Burnout and Coping Strategies Among Paediatric Oncologists: A Scoping Review
Harshitha D1, Vani Verma1, Arun Ghoshal1
1Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
Insights
Paediatric oncologists experience significant burnout due to demanding work. Addressing this requires individual coping strategies and systemic changes for better mental health support and workload management.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Paediatric oncologists face unique stressors including child suffering, complex ethical decisions, and high workloads.
- These factors contribute to burnout, moral distress, and psychological strain among these specialists.
- The lived experiences of paediatric oncologists regarding these challenges are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize evidence on the psychological challenges faced by paediatric oncologists.
- Focus on burnout, emotional exhaustion, moral distress, and effective coping strategies.
- Provide a comprehensive overview for targeted support and interventions.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
- Searched five major databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL) for English-language studies (1992-April 2025).
- Included 14 studies: 5 qualitative, 8 quantitative, and 1 mixed-methods.
Main Results:
- Primary psychological stressors identified: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, moral distress, and job dissatisfaction.
- Coping strategies include peer support, physical activity, debriefing sessions, and resilience training.
- Stigma around seeking help and systemic barriers to support are significant recurring issues.
Conclusions:
- Burnout in paediatric oncology is complex, influenced by personal, ethical, and organizational factors.
- Solutions require individual coping skills and systemic reforms like trauma-informed leadership and workload redistribution.
- Future research should investigate longitudinal impacts and diverse cultural experiences to refine interventions.
Background:
Paediatric oncologists routinely face emotionally demanding situations, including prolonged exposure to child suffering, ethically complex decision-making, and high clinical workloads. These stressors contribute to burnout, moral distress, and psychological strain, yet their lived experiences remain underexplored.
Objective:
To synthesise existing evidence on the psychological challenges experienced by paediatric oncologists, with a focus on burnout, emotional exhaustion, moral distress, and coping strategies.
Methods:
A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Five databases [PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL] were searched for English-language studies published between 1992 and April 2025. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria [5 qualitative, 8 quantitative, 1 mixed-methods].
Results:
Key psychological stressors included emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, moral distress, and job dissatisfaction. Coping strategies ranged from peer support and physical activity to institutional interventions such as debriefing sessions and resilience training. Stigma surrounding help-seeking and systemic barriers to emotional support were recurrent themes.
Conclusion:
Burnout in paediatric oncology is a multifaceted phenomenon shaped by personal, ethical, and organisational factors. Addressing these challenges requires both individual-level coping mechanisms and systemic reforms, including trauma-informed leadership, confidential mental health support, and the redistribution of workloads. Future research should explore longitudinal outcomes and culturally diverse experiences to inform targeted interventions.
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