Burnout among surgeons: Lessons for psychiatrists
This review summarizes risk factors and identifies potential interventions.
The amount of burnout physicians experience can be determined by how they respond to adversities. Adaptive behaviors such as socializing, mindfulness, volunteering, and exercising have been found to be protective against burnout.6,37,54 Resilience training and maintaining low stress at work can decrease burnout.37 These findings highlight the need for physicians to be trained in the appropriate ways to combat their burnout symptoms.
Unfortunately, seeking help by health care professionals to improve mental health has been stigmatized, causing physicians to not seek help and instead resort to other ways to cope with their distress.26,34 While some of these coping methods may be positive, others—such as substance abuse or stress eating—can be maladaptive, leading to a poor quality of life, and in some cases, suicide.54 It is vital that effective mental health services become more accessible and for health care professionals to become aware of their maladaptive behaviors.34
Institutions finding ways to ease the path for their physicians to seek professional help to combat burnout may mitigate its negative impact. One strategy is to embed access to mental health services within regular wellness checks. Institutions can use wellness checks to provide resources to physicians who need it. These interventions have been found to be effective because they give physicians a safe space to seek help and become aware of any factors that could lead to burnout.18 Apart from these direct attempts to combat burnout, program-sponsored social events would also promote social connectedness with colleagues and contribute to a sense of well-being that could help decrease levels of burnout and depression.13 Mentorship has been shown to play a crucial role in decreasing burnout among residents. One study that examined the role of mentorship reported that 55% of residents felt supported, and of these, 96% felt mentorship was critical to their success.18 The role of institutions in helping to improve the well-being of surgeons is highlighted by the finding that increasing workplace support results in psychological resilience that can mitigate burnout at its roots.29
Bottom Line
Surgeons are at risk for burnout, which can impact their mental health and reduce their professional efficacy. Both institutions and surgeons themselves can take action to prevent burnout and treat burnout early when it occurs.
Related Resources
- Pahal P, Lippmann S. Building a better work/life balance. Current Psychiatry. 2021;20(8):e1-e2. doi:10.12788/cp.0158
- Gibson R, Hategan A. Physician burnout vs depression: recognize the signs. Current Psychiatry. 2019;18(10):41-42.
