"Hey, can I go home?": a qualitative case study of wellbeing and the work environment in surgical training

Surgical trainees are at high risk of burnout and poor wellbeing during their training. A range of workplace factors have been linked to poor wellbeing, including excessive work hours, lack of support networks, and training program demands. However, little is understood about the individual experiences of Australian trainees and their perceptions of the impact of the work environment on wellbeing. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Australian surgical trainees regarding their wellbeing in the surgical learning environment.

Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with Australian surgical trainees at the start of their training and 18 months later, exploring their perspectives of wellbeing in the workplace. Results were analyzed thematically using the Job Demands-Resources model as a scaffold.

Seven themes emerged: (1) relationships with colleagues, (2) work hours and workload, (3) the learning environment and supervision, (4) training program requirements, (5) moving around, (6) hospital and team administration, and (7) hospital facilities and programs. Participant experiences between training commencement and 18 months follow-up did not change.

Trainees have unique experiences of wellbeing in the workplace. Some workplace factors, such as relationships with colleagues, can be demands or resources depending on their nature. Effective leadership and administrative practices, mentorship, and proactive rostering act as resources for trainees to balance workplace demands, and these should be prioritized by hospitals and training institutions to improve and protect trainee wellbeing.