ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING AMONG INDIAN SURGEONS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Current literature on physical and mental health of a surgeon in India is scarce. We conducted a questionnaire-based cross-sectional, descriptive study across surgical trainees and consultants and studied multiple aspects of the surgeons' physical and mental well-being. 75.72% (262/346) of surgeons reported experiencing work-related musculoskeletal disorders of varying degrees as a direct result of their work. Moreover, out of 346 surgeons, 66% (228 surgeons) reported that they feel emotionally exhausted after work, several times a month or every day. 33% (114 surgeons) admitted to having no feelings or an impersonal response towards patients and 50% (173 surgeons) had a low sense of personal accomplishments. It is suggested that surgeons become aware of their state of well-being, given the inevitability of physical and mental fatigue in a surgical career, and take measures to improvise their quality of life.