Burnout in neurosurgery in the post-pandemic era.

Objective: Burnout syndrome impacts one of two neurosurgeons and negatively impacts both the individual and institution. The impact of burnout on neurosurgeons may have increased due to the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. Characteristics of burnout may differ among neurosurgeons and non-neurosurgeon physicians, and this may better target wellness initiatives designed to alleviate burnout.

Methods: Validated burnout inventories (Maslach Burnout Inventory; MBI) were provided to physicians, including neurosurgeons, at a single, large academic institution. Rates of burnout and specific characteristics of burnout were compared. Free-response answers describing specific characteristics of burnout were also collected for neurosurgeons.

Results: A total of 294 physicians responded to the survey, including 40 neurosurgeons. The rate of burnout between neurosurgeons and non-neurosurgeons did not differ (39% vs 34%; p=0.631), but there were notable differences in the characteristics of burnout. Neurosurgery respondents were more likely to report depersonalization (p<0.001), and an additional 42.5% of neurosurgeon respondents reported a "period of hardship," which may lead to subsequent burnout. Neurosurgeons also more frequently reported higher feelings of personal accomplishment (p<0.001). Targeted wellness interventions specific to neurosurgeons may alleviate and prevent burnout.

Conclusions: We show that although the rate of burnout does not differ for neurosurgeons, the characteristics of burnout may. This may represent the key to providing specialty-specific targeted interventions to alleviate burnout. Further, there is a significant proportion of neurosurgeons at risk for subsequent burnout for which additional importance must be placed to prevent progression to burnout.