Identifying and preventing burnout in young oncologists, an overwhelming challenge in the COVID-19 era: a study of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)

COVID-19; Esgotament professional; Oncòlegs jovesCOVID-19; Agotamiento profesional; Oncólogos jóvenesCOVID-19; Professional burnout; Young oncologistsBackground Young oncologists are at particular risk of professional burnout, and this could have a significant impact on their health and care of their patients. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced rapid changes in professionals' jobs and training, with the consequent physical and psychological effects. We aimed to characterize burnout levels and determinants in young oncologists, and the effects of the pandemic on their training and health. Methods Two online surveys were conducted among oncology residents and young oncology specialists in Spain. The first addressed professional burnout and its determinants before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the second analyzed the impact of the pandemic on health care organization, training, and physical and psychological health in the same population. Results In total, 243 respondents completed the first survey, and 263 the second; 25.1% reported significant levels of professional burnout. Burnout was more common among medical oncology residents (28.2%), mainly in their second year of training. It was significantly associated with a poor work–life balance, inadequate vacation time, and the burnout score. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) were reassigned to COVID-19 care and 84.3% of residents missed part of their training rotations. Overall, 17.2% of this population reported that they had contracted COVID-19, 37.3% had scores indicating anxiety, and 30.4% moderate to severe depression. Almost a quarter of young oncologists (23.3%) had doubts about their medical vocation. Conclusions Burnout affects a considerable number of young oncologists. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on causes of burnout, making it even more necessary to periodically monitor it to define appropriate detection and prevention strategies.This project received funding from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)

Current professional standing of young medical oncologists in Spain: a nationwide survey by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology + MIR section

Job performance; Oncology professionals; Professional standingRendiment laboral; Professionals d'oncologia; Situació professionalDesempeño laboral; Profesionales de oncología; Situación profesionalBackground There is a lack of knowledge about the career paths and employment situation of young medical oncologists. The aim of our study was to evaluate the current professional standing of these professionals in Spain. Methods The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology + MIR section conducted a national online survey in May 2021 of young medical oncology consultants (< 6 years of expertise) and final year medical oncology residents. Results A total of 162 responses were eligible for analysis and included participants from 16 autonomous communities; 64% were women, 80% were consultants, and 20% were residents. More than half of the participants performed routine healthcare activity and only 7% research activity. Almost three quarters (73%) were subspecialized in a main area of interest and almost half of these chose this area because it was the only option available after residency. Half of the respondents (51%) considered working abroad and 81% believed the professional standing in Spain was worse than in other countries. After finishing their residency, only 22 were offered a job at their training hospital. Just 16% of participants had a permanent employment contract and 87% were concerned (score of ≥ 5 on a scale of 1–10) about their job stability. In addition, one quarter of the participants in our study showed an interest in increasing their research activity. Conclusions The choice of subspecialty in medical oncology may depend on job opportunities after residency rather than personal interest. The abundance of temporary contracts may have influenced the job stability concerns observed. Future mentoring strategies should engage in building a long-term career path for young medical oncologists.This project received funding from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)

O papel das organizações industriais virtuais em mercados emergentes: o caso do Mercosul

Este artigo analisa o impacto da globalização nas organizações industriais do Mercosul. O artigo enfatiza que o Mercosul tem o poder de estimular o desenvolvimento de organizações industriais virtuais entre as organizações do Mercosul. Uma vez que a dependência de links eletrônicos para completar o processo de produção é a condição estrutural mais importante das organizações industriais virtuais, este artigo também apresenta a atual infra-estrutura tecnológica da industria média da região. Especificamente, o artigo apresenta o estágio de integração de aplicações da tecnologia da informação nas indústrias do Mercosul e seus níveis de interoperabilidade.<br>This paper analyzes how globalization is impacting Mercosul's industrial enterprises. It stresses that Mercosul has the power to foster the development of industrial virtual enterprises between organizations of the participant countries. Since the most important structural condition of industrial virtual enterprises is their dependency on electronic links to complete the production process, the paper also presents the current technological infrastructure of the average manufacturing organization of the region. Specifically, the paper presents the stage of integration of IT applications in Mercosul's industrial organizations and its levels of interoperability

Identifying and preventing burnout in young oncologists, an overwhelming challenge in the COVID-19 era : a study of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)

Altres ajuts: Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica (SEOM).Background: Young oncologists are at particular risk of professional burnout, and this could have a significant impact on their health and care of their patients. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced rapid changes in professionals' jobs and training, with the consequent physical and psychological effects. We aimed to characterize burnout levels and determinants in young oncologists, and the effects of the pandemic on their training and health. Methods: Two online surveys were conducted among oncology residents and young oncology specialists in Spain. The first addressed professional burnout and its determinants before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the second analyzed the impact of the pandemic on health care organization, training, and physical and psychological health in the same population. Results: In total, 243 respondents completed the first survey, and 263 the second; 25.1% reported significant levels of professional burnout. Burnout was more common among medical oncology residents (28.2%), mainly in their second year of training. It was significantly associated with a poor work-life balance, inadequate vacation time, and the burnout score. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) were reassigned to COVID-19 care and 84.3% of residents missed part of their training rotations. Overall, 17.2% of this population reported that they had contracted COVID-19, 37.3% had scores indicating anxiety, and 30.4% moderate to severe depression. Almost a quarter of young oncologists (23.3%) had doubts about their medical vocation. Conclusions: Burnout affects a considerable number of young oncologists. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on causes of burnout, making it even more necessary to periodically monitor it to define appropriate detection and prevention strategies