# Burnout in Pediatric Oncology: Team Building and Clay Therapy as a Strategy to Improve Emotional Climate and Group Dynamics in a Nursing Staff

## TL;DR

This study explores how art and clay therapy can reduce burnout and improve emotional well-being among nursing staff in pediatric oncology.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel team-building approach combining art and clay therapy to address burnout in healthcare workers.

## Key findings

- Burnout, alexithymia, and emotional dysregulation significantly decreased after the Art-Out project.
- The intervention improved team dynamics and emotional management among nursing staff.
- Healthcare workers in pediatric oncology face high emotional burdens requiring targeted support.

## Abstract

This study analyzes burnout among healthcare workers in a pediatric oncology unit. To prevent and mitigate the identified risk factors, a pilot project was conducted to enhance the emotional well-being of nursing staff at the pediatric oncology unit of the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS in Rome. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of a team-building course that incorporates art and clay therapy in promoting the well-being of healthcare workers and in reducing burnout levels. The results showed the high emotional burden of healthcare workers and the effectiveness of the pilot project in alleviating burnout. Our findings emphasize the need to implement innovative support programs that aim to promote a positive work environment while also fostering the well-being of the operators.

Healthcare professionals in pediatric oncology are at a high risk of burnout. Art therapy is being increasingly recognized as a potential tool for reducing stress and improving emotional well-being. The Art-Out pilot project aimed at nursing staff was initiated in a pediatric oncology unit. The staff members participating in the project were guided in a team-building course integrated with art and clay therapy, aiming to reduce burnout levels, improve emotional climate, and strengthen resilience. Methods: Burnout levels were assessed through the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), alexithymia was measured with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and emotional regulation difficulties were evaluated through the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS); these tests were assessed before (T0) and after (T1) the team-building course (Art-Out project). Results: Data analysis showed a significant reduction in burnout, alexithymia, and emotional dysregulation, highlighting the positive impact of this approach in improving team dynamics and emotional management. Conclusions: Our study confirms the high risk of burnout, alexithymia, and emotional dysregulation among pediatric oncology healthcare workers, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to prevent and mitigate these risks.