Addressing burnout in surgery and vascular surgery

Objective

By exploring the scientific literature, this article seeks to equip health care professionals with the knowledge to identify solutions to burnout within surgery and vascular surgery.

Methods

A narrative literature review included French and English articles and was conducted in April 2023 with the help of PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Our search included specific Medical Subject Heading terms such as “burnout,” “solution,” and “healthcare.” The review focused on surgical specialties, with a particular lens toward vascular surgery when evidence was available. However, it was broadened to include non-surgical specialties to address knowledge gaps. Through the literature review, we canvased information about operational interventions against burnout, which was then described descriptively.

Results

We presented a summary of interventions to mitigate burnout as a tiered approach, categorized into three groups that encompass the individual, the team, and the system. Research supports individual-focused interventions that enhance work-life balance and the use of other tools such as peer support groups, coaching, and counseling. Team-based strategies encompass relationships and mentorship as vital positive factors that curb burnout rates. Finally, the literature advocates for organizational support through good leadership and institutional investment into the workforce’s culture and well-being for solutions to burnout at the system level.

Conclusions

The prevalence of burnout in health care professionals is a public health crisis. Contemporary evaluations in the vascular surgery specialty demonstrate that nearly one-half of the workforce has experienced burnout. This paper explores the current literature to identify solutions that could help address burnout for vascular surgeons. Current literature supports a tiered approach to mitigate burnout that encompasses elements at the individual, team, and organizational levels.