Understanding Burnout in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency: A Guide to Making Impactful Changes

» Physician burnout is an occupational crisis that consists of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced perceived sense of personal accomplishment. It is highly prevalent among orthopaedic surgeons, with the highest rate seen in residents.» Burnout can have a detrimental impact on resident mental and physical health, patient care through medical errors and poor patient interactions, and the healthcare system.» Orthopaedic residency programs should direct resources toward initiatives that can combat burnout and improve well-being through screening, education, cultural changes, and access to physical, social, and mental health resources.» Orthopaedic surgery residents should recognize the signs of burnout and its impact, take responsibility for their physical and mental health, support their peers, collaborate with faculty leadership to identify areas of improvement, and propose tangible solutions that will benefit the residency.