S1358
Interdisciplinary - Global health
ESTRO 2026
IRCCS, Rome, Italy. 4 UOC Fisica per le Scienze della Vita, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. 5 Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Jamaica. 6 Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e della salute pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy Purpose/Objective: Burnout is a pervasive issue among healthcare professionals, particularly in radiation oncology, where complex technologies, emotionally demanding patient care, and organizational pressures converge. This study aimed to assess baseline levels of burnout and stress among professionals in a radiotherapy department, explore demographic and professional correlates, and evaluate the preliminary impact of a structured team-building intervention. A secondary objective was to examine the relationship between workplace culture—specifically feedback dynamics, competition, and collaboration—and indicators of professional well-being. Material/Methods: An exploratory, two-phase study was conducted at our Radiotherapy Department in 2024. In the first phase, 72 healthcare professionals—including radiation oncologists (RO), radiation therapy technologists, medical physicists, nurses, and psychologists— anonymously completed standardized self-assessment tools: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Professional Quality of Life Scale, along with additional items exploring workplace feedback and team dynamics. Results were discussed in a departmental meeting, which informed the design of a subsequent team- building event.In the second phase, a four-hour team- building activity was held with 70 participants. A subgroup of 27 professionals completed the MBI and PSS both before and after the intervention. Non- parametric statistical analyses (Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis H, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests) were applied to examine differences by demographic and professional variables and to assess pre–post changes in outcomes. Results:
Material/Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 patients with diagnosed gastric cancer receiving treatment at University Hospital Center Mother Teresa 2021–2024. Financial toxicity was assessed using the COST (Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity) tool and QoL was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression was performed to identify independent predictors of QoL. Patients were stratified by treatment type, income level, employment loss and access to supportive care Patients’mean age was 58.2± 8.8 years (range 27-80 years), with a male to female rate of 3.5:1. Forty two percent of the patients were stage III, 32.5 % stage II and 7.5% stage Ib and 18% were metastatic. Overall, 65 % of patients reported moderate to severe financial toxicity (COST score ≤ 17). The prevalence of severe FT increased up to 80% in under 65 years old patient compared to 38% among over 65 years old (p < 0.01). Patients reporting employment loss had services. Results: significantly higher FT (COST ≤ 19), highlighting a major non-clinical determinant of patient well-being. Those with severe FT were 2.8 times more likely to delay or discontinue treatment (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.9–4.1). QoL scores (EORTC QLQ-C30), were significantly lower among patients with severe FT, particularly in emotional and functional domains. Conclusion: Financial toxicity independently and significantly reduces quality of life in gastric cancer patients, regardless of clinical variables or disease stage. Strategies such access to supportive care sercices, financial counseling and systemic policy reform are essential to mitigate this burden and improve equity in cancer care. Keywords: Financial toxicity, QoL, gastric cancer Digital Poster 2239 What’s behind the beam? Understanding and addressing burnout among radiotherapy professionals Loredana Dinapoli 1 , Elisa Marconi 1 , Noemi Marchionne 2 , Gabriele Turco 2 , Pio Bannetta 2 , Sara Scalise 3 , Leonardo Bannoni 3 , Patrizia Cornacchione 4 , Vincenzo Frascino 2 , Fabio Marazzi 3 , Luca Boldrini 2 , Nicola Dinapoli 2 , Giuseppe Colloca 3 , Luca Tagliaferri 3,5 , Daniela Chieffo 1,6 , Maria Antonietta Gambacorta 2,5 1 UOS di Psicologia Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. 2 UOC Servizi di Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. 3 UOC Degenze di Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli
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