Work-Life Imbalance: A Challenge and an Opportunity for Neurosurgery

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Neurosurgery
• Physician Wellness

Background:

• Work-life balance (WLB) is crucial for preventing burnout and maintaining health.
• High rates of burnout are reported in neurosurgery (NS), yet WLB factors remain understudied.
• This study investigates WLB and its influencing factors within the neurosurgery field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of work-life balance among neurosurgeons globally.
• To identify demographic and practice-related factors associated with WLB in neurosurgery.
• To highlight areas for intervention to improve WLB in the neurosurgery profession.

Main Methods:

• An international electronic survey was distributed using a physician wellness framework.
• Data from 446 neurosurgery respondents were analyzed.
• Chi-squared tests were employed to examine associations between WLB and variables like age, sex, practice level, and geographic region.

Main Results:

• Only 42% of neurosurgeons reported adequate WLB.
• WLB was significantly lower in trainees compared to staff (OR: 0.45).
• Younger neurosurgeons (≤44 years) and those in the African region reported lower WLB.

Conclusions:

• A significant majority of neurosurgeons experience poor WLB, particularly trainees and younger professionals.
• Inadequate staffing and workload present global challenges requiring immediate attention.
• Healthcare organizations must prioritize WLB initiatives to enhance well-being, retention, and interest in neurosurgery.