2012 EDUCATIONAL BOOK - American Society of Clinical Oncology

stances (e.g., stage of career, family needs, and social configuration),
but also on his or her cultural background. There
is a paucity of literature examining cross-cultural differences
in self-care between U.S. and foreign-born physicians
and between members of racial/ethnic majority compared
with minority populations. Studies have made cross-cultural
comparisons of attitudes toward self-care between the
United States and Germany and explored differences in
U.S. and Swedish constructs such as self-concept and wellbeing.
25 For current purposes, it is important to be aware
that one’s own concept of self, definition of personal wellbeing
in the domains discussed herein, and preferred selfcare
strategies will be tempered by individual background—
family, upbringing, culture, and life experiences. 26
Conclusion
Self-care is not purely a private matter; the extent to
which oncologists attend to, or deny, the needs of their selves
has repercussions in the personal, interpersonal, and professional
spheres. Burnout is a prevalent and serious phenomenon,
directly related to inadequate self-care. This
chapter presents a flexible framework to help the oncologist
consider, and responsibly attend to, duties toward himself or
Author’s Disclosures of Potential Conflicts of Interest
Author
Employment or
Leadership
Positions
Consultant or
Advisory Role
Amy P. Abernethy Bristol-Myers
Squibb; Helsinn
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4. Spickard A Jr, Gabbe SG, Christensen JF. Mid-career burnout in
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6. Maslach C, Jackson SE. The measurement of experienced burnout. J
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8. Allegra CJ, Hall R, Yothers G. Prevalence of burnout in the U.S.
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13. Gastfriend DR. Physician substance abuse and recovery: what does it
mean for physicians-and everyone else? JAMA. 2005;293:1513-1515.
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e14
herself. Currently, metrics are not used to track oncologists’
responsibility in caring for themselves; rather, performance
measures typically evaluate patient care and other externally
focused duties. With the understanding that we have a
de facto honor system with respect to self-care, it is incumbent
on every oncologist to adopt strategies for ensuring his
or her health and well-being. Short-term and long-term
benefits will be evident in multiple domains, including
physical, mental, and psychological health, job satisfaction,
and quality of life. In addition, our patients will benefit from
having healthier, more present and available physicians.
Acknowledgments
Complete Funding Disclosure: As of February 2012, Dr.
Abernethy has research funding from the U.S. National Institutes
of Health, U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Pfizer, Eli Lilly,
Bristol Meyers Squibb, Helsinn Therapeutics, Amgen, Kanglaite,
Alexion, Biovex, DARA Therapeutics, Novartis, and
Mi-Co; these funds are all distributed to Duke University
Medical Center to support research. In the last 2 years she has
had nominal consulting agreements (�$10,000) with Helsinn
Therapeutics, Amgen, and Novartis.
Stock
Ownership Honoraria
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Amgen; Novartis Amgen; BioVex;
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Squibb; DARA;
Eisai; Helsinn;
KangLaiTe; Lilly;
Pfizer
Expert
Testimony
AMY P. ABERNETHY
Other
Remuneration
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