Purpose: To investigate the job satisfaction, burnout, and related factors associated with palliative care-certified nurses. Methods: In 2005, we performed a mail-based questionnaire survey on palliative care-certified nurses was performed using job-satisfaction and Burnout Inventory. Related factors such as working place and clinical experience were also asked. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate relationship between burnout and the factors. Results: Of the 171 questionnaires delivered, 137 were returned (81.1%). The means of the job satisfaction subscales were as follows, professional status: 32.6±6.5, interaction: 26.4±6.7, autonomy: 17.5±5.2, doctor-nurse relationship: 8.6±3.6, administration: 28.5±8.5, pay: 24.0±7.8, task requirement: 13.2±5.4, and mean total, 150.6±29.8. Seventy palliative care-certified nurses (51%) showed signs of burnout. On the basis of multivariate logistic regression analysis, 9 factors, including those related to respondents working in cancer hospitals (odds ratio : 34.67, 95% confidence interval : 2.90-414.29) were observed to be associated with burnout. Conclusion: In order to facilitate the activities of palliative care-certified nurses, it might be useful to provide them with workplace-specific training and support. Palliat Care Res 2010; 5(1): 127-136

The objective of this study was to identify the roles of clinical psychologists in palliative care teams by conducting focus group interviews. The participants were 7 physicians and nurses of highly active palliative care teams. Results from the qualitative analysis of interview content revealed that the most important knowledges needed by psychologists in palliative care is fundamental and specialized psychological knowledges and skills. The second most important was general and psychiatric medical knowledges regarding cancer. Otherwise, psychologists were expected to understand the roles of other staff members and the medical system, and provide mental and emotional support to medical staff. Our results clarified that psychologists require a broad understanding of medical care for cancer, good communication skills for interacting with other staff members, and the ability to actively utilize their psychiatric specialty to provide psychological support to patients, families and medical workers. Palliat Care Res 2009; 4(2): 228-234