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http://dx.doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2015.16.16.6895

Patient-Centredness, Job Satisfaction and Psychological Distress: a Brief Survey Comparing Oncology Nurses and Doctors  

Chan, Caryn Mei Hsien (Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya)
Ahmad, Wan Azman Wan (Department of Medicine, University Malaya Medical Centre)
Yusof, Mastura MD (Department of Clinical Oncology, University Malaya Medical Centre)
Ho, Gwo Fuang (Department of Clinical Oncology, University Malaya Medical Centre)
Krupat, Edward (Harvard Medical School)
Publication Information
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention / v.16, no.16, 2015 , pp. 6895-6898 More about this Journal
Abstract
Background: We aimed to explore whether levels of patient-centredness, job satisfaction and psychological distress varied between oncology nurses and doctors. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires, a total of 24 nurses and 43 doctors were assessed for patient-centredness, psychological distress, and job satisfaction using the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Job Satisfaction Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test and MANCOVA, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Overall response rate was 95.6% (43/45) for physicians and 85.7% (24/28) for nurses. Even after adjusting for known covariates, our principal finding was that doctors reported greater psychological distress compared to nurses (p=0.009). Doctors also reported lower job satisfaction compared to nurses (p = 0.017), despite higher levels of patient-centredness found in nurses (p=0.001). Findings may be explained in part by differences in job characteristics and demands. Conclusions: Mental health is an important concern not just in cancer patients but among healthcare professionals in oncology.
Keywords
Doctors; nurses; patient-centredness; psychological distress; job satisfaction;
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