Factors associated with risk of burnout in neurosurgeons: current status and risk factors

The study aimed to evaluate burnout and associated risk factors in neurosurgical residents and faculty members. Burnout is an occupational risk of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced perception of personal accomplishment secondary to work stress. It burdens the individual with immense mental stress causing compromised professional performance. Healthcare workers, particularly surgeons, have been documented to be at high risk of developing burnout, considering the stressful routine and serious impact of their profession.

The modified Maslach Burnout Inventory was filled by fellow neurosurgical residents or consultants. The respondents were classified into burnout and non-burnout groups and then analyzed for the associated risk factors. The data were analyzed using SPSS v26.

One hundred and thirty-eight neurosurgical healthcare workers, including 62 residents and 76 consultants, responded to the questionnaire. The burnout and non-burnout groups comprised 83 (60%) and 55 (39.9%) respondents. Female gender and few kids were observed as significant risk factors for the development of burnout (p  =  0.013 and p  = 0.006, respectively). Regardless of its year, residency was a risk factor for overall burnout, as well as in each subsection of the Maslach Inventory (p  =  0.002). In consultants, recent qualifications and a high number of weekly calls were also associated with a significant risk of burnout (p =  0.012 and p  =  0 .027, respectively). Marital status and national economic status did not reveal any influence on the status of burnout in neurosurgical healthcare workers.

Burnout syndrome is a prevalent and serious, yet overlooked, condition among neurosurgeons. Adequate assessment and steps should be encouraged to ensure physician and patient safety.