Burnout and work-life balance in neurosurgery: Current state and opportunities

Burnout is a syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of personal accomplishment. The syndrome has been recognized as a pandemic among physicians. The demanding nature of neurosurgery makes neurosurgeons, particularly prone to burnout. In recent years, pioneering work has shed light on burnout in the field of neurosurgery.

We have reviewed the literature in PUBMED on burnout in physicians, focusing on neurosurgical publications.

In this manuscript, we explore the topic of burnout in neurosurgery by reviewing definitions, magnitude, etiologies, sequelae, and mitigation strategies.

Ongoing education, recognition, and targeted interventions for neurosurgeons at different career stages are needed to manage burnout proactively and ensure a resilient neurosurgery workforce.