Self-Care Program and Burnout Prevention in First-Year Medical Oncology Residents (Mixed-Methods Quasi-Experimental Study)

A Prospective Mixed-Methods Quasi-Experimental Study Evaluating Burnout Variation Over 12 Months and the Influence of a Self-Care and Burnout Prevention Program in First-Year Medical Oncology Residents

Burnout is highly prevalent among oncology clinicians, including residents in training. This prospective, mixed-methods, quasi-experimental study will evaluate how burnout changes over 12 months during the first year of medical oncology residency and explore which work-related, professional identity, and program support factors influence this variation.

Residents will participate in a structured self-care and burnout prevention program with multiple modules (e.g., yoga, mindfulness, art therapy, music therapy, Balint groups, workshops, mentorship). Quantitative burnout outcomes will be measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS), and qualitative insights will be collected through individual semi-structured interviews. The study will also describe sociodemographic characteristics, baseline burnout prevalence, participation/adherence, satisfaction, and implementation barriers/facilitators.

Population: first-year medical oncology residents affiliated with FALP. Design: prospective mixed-methods convergent parallel quasi-experimental study. Quantitative component uses MBI-HSS. Qualitative component consists of individual semi-structured interviews.

Program participation and attendance across modules will be tracked. Satisfaction and perceived usefulness will be assessed at program completion. Feedback from participants and faculty will be analyzed to identify barriers and facilitators and to optimize future cohorts. The burnout prevention program lasts 12 months; overall project execution is planned for 14 months to complete follow-ups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• First-year medical oncology residents at FALP; continued residency enrollment; minimum attendance requirement per protocol (≥75%).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Maternity leave during the study period.
• Interruption/withdrawal from the residency program.