Stress and mental workload of health care professionals working in oncology ambulatory care services

Introduction. Stress experienced by health care professionals can influence quality of care. The aim of this study was to assess stress and mental workload of health care professionals working in oncology day care centres or cytotoxic drug reconstitution units in Champagne-Ardenne, France. Methodology. This cross-sectional survey involved all professionals in oncology day care centres and cytotoxic drug reconstitution units of all volunteer public and private hospitals in Champagne-Ardenne, for one week. Socio-demographic and health care practices characteristics were collected. Stress and mental workload were measured through the EVA scale and the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Results. Eleven day care centres and 160 professionals participated in the study. Seventy-four participants were satisfied by the organisation of their services. The EVA stress mean was 4.7 +/- 2.1, with 21% of the participants presenting a pathological EVA. Forty percent of the 128 professionals who completed the JCQ were in job strain. For 25% of the participants, the main organisational problem was the late validation of chemotherapies. Twenty-six percent proposed to implement anticipated prescription programme to improve organisation of chemotherapy management in Champagne-Ardenne. Conclusion.. This study depicted a high level of stress and a major mental workload among health care professionals in oncology day care centres and cytotoxic drug reconstitution units in Champagne-Ardenne. Anticipated prescription of chemotherapies could improve those conditions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.