Job stress and job satisfaction of cancer care workers.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing demand for oncology care as a result of a number of trends. In combination with ongoing changes to the health-care system, these trends have an impact on the workplace environment of systemic therapy personnel.

METHODS: A postal survey was sent to major providers of tertiary systemic therapy services in Ontario. Included in the survey were measures of job satisfaction and stress. In order to capture in-depth data related to survey themes, focus groups were held with personnel at six major cancer treatment facilities. Content analysis identified major themes.

RESULTS: Analysis of focus group and survey studies showed that the greatest source of job satisfaction stemmed from patient care and contact. Manifestations of increasing workload emerged as major sources of job stress. Personnel were concerned as to what they saw as negative consequences of heavy workload--a perceived decrease in the quality of patient care and staff morale.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this research suggest that the current workplace environment is having a negative impact on the well-being of systemic therapy staff, and may have consequences in terms of quality of patient care. Personnel identified system changes that they felt would help alleviate workload and resulting stress.