Physician wellness in orthopaedic surgery : a multinational survey study.

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Medical Education
• Public Health

Background:

• Physician burnout is a significant issue impacting healthcare delivery and individual well-being.
• Understanding the prevalence and patterns of burnout is crucial for developing effective support strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare self-reported wellness and burnout patterns among orthopaedic surgeons and trainees across different countries and health systems.
• To identify factors associated with burnout in this professional group.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 774 orthopaedic surgeons and trainees in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA in 2019.
• Participants completed validated questionnaires including the Mayo Clinic Well-Being Index and the Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index, alongside demographic and employment-related questions.

Main Results:

• Over 58% of participants reported burnout on the Mayo Clinic Well-Being Index, and 38.9% on the Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index.
• Significant national differences in burnout prevalence were observed, with Canada reporting higher rates (47.8%) than Australia (27%).
• Younger age groups and trainee status were independently associated with an increased risk of burnout.

Conclusions:

• Burnout rates among orthopaedic surgeons and trainees are unacceptably high globally, with notable variations between countries.
• Both individual characteristics and health system factors contribute to physician wellness.
• Developing targeted strategies considering these factors is essential to enhance surgeon well-being.