Microaggressions, burnout and the ‘double burden’ in urology: An emerging workforce challenge

Burnout is an important concern within the urological workforce, with implications for trainee well-being, career satisfaction and workforce retention. UK studies have reported burnout rates among urology trainees ranging from 28.4% to 56%, with workload, rota gaps, limited protected training time and organisational culture identified as important contributors. However, these pressures may not be experienced equally by all clinicians. As the urological workforce becomes more diverse, attention should also be paid to workplace experiences that may compound existing occupational pressures. Microaggressions, stereotyping, exclusion, discrimination and reduced psychological safety may create additional psychosocial demands for some clinicians. We propose the concept of a ‘double burden’ to describe the potential interaction between the occupational demands of urological practice and these additional workplace pressures. This article considers the available evidence linking workplace culture, microaggressions and burnout, while acknowledging the current lack of robust urology-specific data. It highlights important research gaps and outlines practical approaches to improving psychological safety, inclusion and workforce well-being. Understanding not only the prevalence of burnout but also how workplace experiences are distributed across the workforce may be important in developing a more inclusive and sustainable future for UK urology.