Oncology Experts Discuss Ways to Combat Burnout at Busy Conferences and Beyond

“The point of being in a conference is to be present, and that means mentally, as well as physically. Sometimes it’s hard, but if we can find ways to do that with structural support and individual practice changes, that could be helpful.”

The many oncology conferences throughout each year present ample opportunities for education, sharing research, and building connections. They are also often large time commitments that need to be considered alongside the other daily demands of an oncology career. OncLive® sat down with several oncology experts to hear their thoughts on this topic and their advice regarding ways the field can offer more support to colleagues during busy seasons.

We spoke with:

• Fangdi Sun, MD, an assistant professor of medicine (oncology) at Stanford University
• Jennifer A. Ligibel, MD, director of the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living, director of the Center for Faculty Well-Being, and a senior physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; as well as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School
• Costas Bizekis, MD, a thoracic surgeon at New York University (NYU) Langone Cardiothoracic Surgery Associates and a clinical associate professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine
• Timothy Shaw, PhD, an assistant member (professor) in bioinformatics at Moffitt Cancer Center
• MinhTri Nguyen, MD, a medical oncologist formerly with Stanford Health Care

The experts shared common scheduling and time management challenges they often experience in clinical practice, especially surrounding busy conferences like the ASCO Annual Meeting. They emphasized the importance of prioritizing tasks, pacing oneself, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They also stressed the need for a supportive team and administration to manage responsibilities effectively. Additionally, they noted that oncologists often struggle to disconnect from work, even during conferences and vacations. Finally, the experts shared practical advice, including setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and fostering a community that supports each other’s work and well-being.