Guzel S. S., Tay K., Demirci S. N., Alan Ö.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, cilt.44, sa.16_suppl, ss.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Özet
12086
Background:
Caregivers of patients hospitalized in medical oncology wards play a crucial role in daily care and clinical decision-making, yet they are rarely screened for burnout. While caregiver burden has been widely studied in outpatient and palliative care settings, data focusing on inpatient oncology caregivers remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate burnout levels among caregivers of hospitalized medical oncology patients and to identify associated demographic and caregiving-related factors.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 91 caregivers of patients hospitalized in a medical oncology ward. Burnout and psychosocial distress were assessed using a structured 10-item survey developed based on established conceptual domains of burnout and caregiver burden. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater burnout. Burnout levels were categorized as low (≤2), moderate (2–4), or high (≥4). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Group comparisons were performed using Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Correlations were analyzed using Spearman’s rho. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of burnout.
Results:
The median caregiver age was 49 years and 73.6% were female. The median burnout score was 3.0. Overall, 23.1% of caregivers reported low burnout, 57.1% moderate burnout, and 19.8% high burnout. Female caregivers had significantly higher burnout scores compared with males (p = 0.008). Caregivers with additional caregiving responsibilities also reported higher burnout levels (p = 0.026). Burnout scores correlated positively with duration of in-hospital caregiving (ρ = 0.228; p = 0.030). In multivariable regression analysis, female gender remained an independent predictor of higher burnout (β = −0.298; p = 0.003). Table 1 shows demographic and clinical characteristics of caregivers and patients.
Conclusions:
Caregivers of hospitalized medical oncology patients experience substantial levels of burnout, with nearly one in five reporting high burnout. Female caregivers appear to be at particularly high risk. These findings highlight the need for routine psychosocial screening and targeted supportive interventions for caregivers in inpatient oncology settings.
Variable
N=91 (%)
Caregiver gender (F/M)
67 (73.6)/24 (26.4)
CG age (years) (median)
49 (23-75)
CG Education level (L/Medium/H)
39 (42.9)/27 (29.7)/25 (27.5)
Relationship to patient (Spouse/Child/First degree relatives/Other)
32 (35.2)/29 (31.1)/19 (20.9)/11 (12.9)
Additional caregiving responsibility (Y/N)
29 (31.9)/62 (68.2)
Burnout level [L/Moderate/H]
21 (23.1)/52 (57.1)/18 (19.1)
Patient gender (F/M/Other)
41 (45.1)/46 (50.5)/4 (4.4)
Patient age (years) (median)
61 (20-81)
Cancer diagnosis groups
Lung and H&N
27 (29.7)
GI
23 (23.3)
GU+breast
22 (24.2)
Other
8 (8.8)