ASCO President Speaks Out on “Huge Problem” of Oncologist Burnout

Oncologist burnout and career dissatisfaction are a “huge problem,” says Robin T. Zon, MD, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Dr. Zon sits down with Robert A. Figlin, MD, the Steven Spielberg Family Chair in Hematology-Oncology at the Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center in Los Angeles, to discuss revelations from a recent ASCO report. “ASCO recognizes that if, in fact, we are going to accomplish our mission, we have to pay very close attention to what is happening to the workforce and the burnout that is associated with that,” Dr. Zon explains. She shares insights into common underlying causes and lays out a plan of attack for improvement. With an emphasis primarily on organizational, and not individual, reforms, Dr. Zon pledges that ASCO will remain focused on burnout and job dissatisfaction. “We are going to continue to have interventions. And we will continue to give voice to our members at all levels.”

Dr. Zon reported various financial relationships.

Dr. Figlin reported various financial relationships.