Surgeon Burnout: A Systematic Review

Burnout is a syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a decreased sense of personal accomplishment caused by work-related stress.1,2 Physicians are at increased risk for burnout as a result of long work hours, delayed gratification, challenges with work and home balance, and challenges associated with patient care, especially in the changing healthcare environment.1,3-5 In a recent study, more than half of physicians met criteria for burnout. In addition, the prevalence of burnout increased 10% in U.S. physicians between 2011 and 2014.6 The prevalence of burnout was lower in a probability-based sample of the general U.S. working population, with no increase over the same time period. This increase was observed across specialties, with many specialties reporting well over 50% of physicians being burned out.6 This disturbing trend is likely multifactorial, with increasing demands in clinical productivity, difficulty in funding research endeavors, more patients to care for with fewer resources, changes in reimbursement, rising student debt, and difficulty balancing personal and work life.7-10 Burnout is especially prevalent in surgical specialties. In the 2015 Medscape Physician Lifestyle Report, burnout rates ranged from 37-53% across specialties, with general surgeons nearly topping the list at 50%.11 Burnout has severe adverse consequences, including substance abuse, disruptive behavior, absenteeism, attrition, strained personal relationships, divorce, depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide.12-14 Over the past decade, awareness has been raised and the ability to accurately assess and identify physicians suffering from burnout has improved. The aim of this systematic review was to provide a concise review and identify studies reporting on identification, prevention, or intervention for surgeons suffering from burnout.