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Routine Oncology Treatment and Its Human Deficits

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Ethical Challenges in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Part of the book series: Recent Results in Cancer Research ((RECENTCANCER,volume 218))

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Abstract

Working with cancer patients is a highly demanding task. Both, caring for physical, social and spiritual needs of cancer patients as well as an overwhelming bureaucratisation, and technologisation challenge oncologists in a way that may cause mental and physical exhaustion, often—paradoxically—despite high job and specialty satisfaction. This article (i) summarises research findings with a special focus on oncologists’ burnout (including factors associated with the phenomffenon), job satisfaction and physical health; (ii) describes potential consequences of burnout and distress, e.g., shortcomings in the physician–patient interaction in oncological treatment settings, financial implications on the health-care system, etc.; and (iii) reviews published data for interventions that may prevent or alleviate oncologists’ burnout on an organisational and/or individual level.

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Correspondence to Ralf-Dieter Hofheinz .

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Hofheinz, RD. (2021). Routine Oncology Treatment and Its Human Deficits. In: Bauer, A.W., Hofheinz, RD., Utikal, J.S. (eds) Ethical Challenges in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy. Recent Results in Cancer Research, vol 218. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63749-1_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63749-1_15

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-63749-1

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