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. 2022 May 12;17(5):e0268393.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268393. eCollection 2022.

Building resilience in oncology teams: Protocol for a realist evaluation of multiple cases

Dominique Tremblay  1   2 , Nassera Touati  3 , Kelley Kilpatrick  4   5 , Marie-José Durand  1   2 , Annie Turcotte  1   2 , Catherine Prady  1 , Thomas G Poder  6   7 , Patrick O Richard  1 , Sara Soldera  1 , Djamal Berbiche  1   2 , Mélissa Généreux  1 , Mathieu Roy  1   8 , Brigitte Laflamme  9 , Sylvie Lessard  1   2 , Marjolaine Landry  10   11 , Émilie Giordano  1   2
Affiliations

Building resilience in oncology teams: Protocol for a realist evaluation of multiple cases

Dominique Tremblay et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Teams caring for people living with cancer face many difficult clinical situations that are compounded by the pandemic and can have serious consequences on professional and personal life. This study aims to better understand how a multi-component intervention builds resilience in oncology teams. The intervention is based on a salutogenic approach, theories and empirical research on team resilience at work. This intervention research involves partnership between researchers and stakeholders in defining situations of adversity and solutions appropriate to context.

Methods: The principles of realist evaluation are used to develop context-mechanism-outcome configurations of a multi-component intervention developed by researchers and field partners concerned with the resilience of oncology teams. The multiple case study involves oncology teams in natural contexts in four healthcare establishments in Québec (Canada). Qualitative and quantitative methods are employed. Qualitative data from individual interviews, group interviews and observation are analyzed using thematic content analysis. Quantitative data are collected through validated questionnaires measuring team resilience at work and its effect on teaming processes and cost-effectiveness. Integration of these data enables the elucidation of associations between intervention, context, mechanism and outcome.

Discussion: The study will provide original data on contextual factors and mechanisms that promote team resilience in oncology settings. It suggests courses of action to better manage difficult situations that arise in a specialized care sector, minimize their negative effects and learn from them, during and after the waves of the pandemic. The mechanisms for problem resolution and arriving at realistic solutions to professional workforce and team effectiveness challenges can help improve practices in other settings.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Conceptual framework of team resilience at work in oncology.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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