Exploring Administrative Burden and Burnout Among Italian Oncologists: A Cross‑Sectional Survey

Administrative burden has become an increasingly prominent organizational issue in healthcare, with potential consequences for clinical practice, quality of care, and physician well‑being. This study assessed the extent and perceived impact of administrative burden among Italian medical oncologists through a national cross‑sectional web‑based survey conducted between February and March 2025 among clinicians affiliated with the Italian College of Chiefs of Medical Oncology Units (CIPOMO). A total of 179 valid questionnaires were analysed. Oncologists reported dedicating an average of 41.0% of their working time to administrative activities, predominantly related to form completion, management of information‑technology system failures, and data entry or data management. Activities most frequently perceived as appropriate for delegation included information‑technology troubleshooting, inventory control, patient reception, and appointment scheduling. Nearly half of respondents reported experiencing burnout in the previous six months, with over one fifth identifying administrative workload as the primary contributing factor. These findings indicate that administrative burden represents a substantial component of oncologists’ daily work and is perceived as limiting time available for core clinical activities, while contributing to professional distress. Organizational strategies aimed at redistributing non‑clinical tasks and strengthening administrative support may help mitigate these effects and promote more sustainable oncology practice.