See the published version of this preprint at Health and Quality of Life Outcomes.
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Leonardo Potenza
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ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2738-6105
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Background: The majority of practising physicians experience burnout. One of the factors most frequently advocated to increase such risk is breaking bad news (BBN). Several reports, by showing alteration of physiological indices, have empirically suggested that BBN may stress physicians, ultimately contributing to burnout. However, the association between the way serious news is broken and burnout has not been explored yet. In this study we investigated the correlation between burnout and physicians' self-efficacy regarding communication to patients. Methods: A 23-item questionnaire exploring attitudes and practice regarding BBN and the Maslach Burnout Inventory test were administered to 379 physicians from two University Hospitals. Associations were assessed by means of logistic regression models. Results: 226 (60%) returned the questionnaires. 76% of physicians acquired communication skills by observing mentors or colleagues, 64% considered BBN as discussing a poor prognosis, 56% reported discussing prognosis as the most difficult task, 38% and 37% did not plan a BBN encounter and considered it stressful. The overall burnout rate was 59%. At the multivariable analysis considering BBN as discussing a poor prognosis and a stressful task were related to high level of burnout (OR 2.42, p=0.042; OR 3.56, p=0.005); whereas planning the encounter and mastering communication skills even by just by means of reading relevant literature were correlated to low level of burnout (OR=0.43, p=0.037; OR=0.19, p=0.034). Conclusions: Our study identifies some physicians' BBN attitudes and knowledge of conceptual frameworks which may influence the risk of burnout and support the notion that increasing knowledge about communication skills may protect clinicians from burnout.
Keywords
Breaking serious news, attitudes, burnout, communication skills.
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View the published article at Health and Quality of Life Outcomes.
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Reviewer #2 agreed
On 16 Jul, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 16 Jul, 2020
Editorial decision: Accept
On 16 Jul, 2020
Editor assigned
On 13 Jul, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 13 Jul, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 13 Jul, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 13 Jul, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 12 Jul, 2020
Editor invited
On 12 Jul, 2020
Version 1
Posted 17 Feb, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Major Revision
On 27 May, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 21 May, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 11 May, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 02 May, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 25 Apr, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 15 Feb, 2020
Editor assigned
On 11 Feb, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 10 Feb, 2020
Editor invited
On 10 Feb, 2020
First submitted
On 08 Feb, 2020
Metrics
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PDF Downloads: ...
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Subject Areas
Health Economics & Outcomes Research
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A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
See the published version of this preprint at Health and Quality of Life Outcomes.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Leonardo Potenza
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2738-6105
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at Health and Quality of Life Outcomes.
No community comments so far
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 16 Jul, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 16 Jul, 2020
Editorial decision: Accept
On 16 Jul, 2020
Editor assigned
On 13 Jul, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 13 Jul, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 13 Jul, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 13 Jul, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 12 Jul, 2020
Editor invited
On 12 Jul, 2020
Version 1
Posted 17 Feb, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Major Revision
On 27 May, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 21 May, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 11 May, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 02 May, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 25 Apr, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 15 Feb, 2020
Editor assigned
On 11 Feb, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 10 Feb, 2020
Editor invited
On 10 Feb, 2020
First submitted
On 08 Feb, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Health Economics & Outcomes Research
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at Health and Quality of Life Outcomes.
Background: The majority of practising physicians experience burnout. One of the factors most frequently advocated to increase such risk is breaking bad news (BBN). Several reports, by showing alteration of physiological indices, have empirically suggested that BBN may stress physicians, ultimately contributing to burnout. However, the association between the way serious news is broken and burnout has not been explored yet. In this study we investigated the correlation between burnout and physicians' self-efficacy regarding communication to patients. Methods: A 23-item questionnaire exploring attitudes and practice regarding BBN and the Maslach Burnout Inventory test were administered to 379 physicians from two University Hospitals. Associations were assessed by means of logistic regression models. Results: 226 (60%) returned the questionnaires. 76% of physicians acquired communication skills by observing mentors or colleagues, 64% considered BBN as discussing a poor prognosis, 56% reported discussing prognosis as the most difficult task, 38% and 37% did not plan a BBN encounter and considered it stressful. The overall burnout rate was 59%. At the multivariable analysis considering BBN as discussing a poor prognosis and a stressful task were related to high level of burnout (OR 2.42, p=0.042; OR 3.56, p=0.005); whereas planning the encounter and mastering communication skills even by just by means of reading relevant literature were correlated to low level of burnout (OR=0.43, p=0.037; OR=0.19, p=0.034). Conclusions: Our study identifies some physicians' BBN attitudes and knowledge of conceptual frameworks which may influence the risk of burnout and support the notion that increasing knowledge about communication skills may protect clinicians from burnout.
Figure 1
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