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Understanding and Managing the Syndrome and Avoiding the Adverse Consequences

Charles M. Balch, MD; Julie A. Freischlag, MD; Tait D. Shanafelt, MD

Arch Surg. 2009;144(4):371-376.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

INTRODUCTION

Training for and practicing surgery are stressful endeavors.^1-4 Studies^5-11 involving national samples of surgeons from surgical subspecialty societies and graduates of surgical training programs suggest that burnout rates among surgeons range from 30% to 38%. These statistics indicate that a substantial number of our colleagues are struggling with personal and professional distress at a level that should be of concern to all surgeons.

Surgeons work hard, work long hours, deal regularly with life-and-death situations with their patients, and make substantial personal sacrifices to practice in their field. These attributes of surgical practice, along with the rigors and length of training for this profession, attract individuals of a particular character and determination. These individuals share an unwritten but understood code of rules, norms, and expectations. This code includes coming in early and staying late, working nights and weekends, performing . . . [Full Text of this Article]

STRESS AMONG SURGEONS

DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE

ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

DIVORCE AMONG PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS

BURNOUT: WHAT IS IT?

CONSEQUENCES OF SURGEON BURNOUT

INCIDENCE OF STRESS AND BURNOUT AMONG SURGICAL SPECIALTIES

General Surgeons

Surgical Oncologists

Transplantation Surgeons

Head and Neck Surgeons

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF BURNOUT?

WELLNESS

NEED FOR MORE RESEARCH

CONCLUSIONS

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Author Affiliations: Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, Maryland (Drs Balch and Freischlag); and Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota (Dr Shanafelt).

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