[Society and surgery. Burnout and surgeons]

Burnout syndrome is a mental and emotional state of tiredness, characterised by feelings of emptiness and negative attitudes to work and life. It appears particularly in care professionals associated with human interactions, and starts progressive, affecting the professional as well as the organisation. It is currently the most common cause of absence from work. Its incidence among doctors is about 50%, but, despite being considered a high risk group, its incidence and consequences among surgeons is still unknown. The causal factors are analysed and coping strategies are offered to be able to control the problem.