Implemented Interventions for Surgeon Well-Being: A Scoping Review

Surgeons operate in uniquely high-risk environments, facing significant physical and emotional demands and the pressures of academic achievement. These stressors contribute to diminished well-being, affecting both patient care and career longevity. Although burnout is widely studied, it represents only one facet of a surgeon's overall well-being. This study examines existing surgeon well-being interventions for faculty and residents, evaluating structures, themes, and outcome measures to identify gaps in current practices.

A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple databases to evaluate well-being interventions on surgery faculty and residents. Key components of well-being addressed were identified and categorized into themes within the professional domain, personal domain, and work-life balance.

Sixty-one articles met the inclusion criteria. Among these, 28 studies focused on burnout, 27 on work-related stressors, 9 on career satisfaction, 16 on work-life balance, 16 on physical health, 18 on emotional health, and 2 on relationships. Regarding study design, 13 were randomized controlled trials, 5 were nonrandomized with two groups, 30 used a single-group design with pretest and posttest surveys, and 13 with posttest surveys. To measure outcomes, 37 studies used validated surveys, 34 studies used study-specific surveys, 9 used physiological measurements, and 6 used performance scales.

Surgeon well-being is a multifaceted issue encompassing aspects of professional and personal life. Most interventions have focused on reducing burnout and work-related stressors, measured primarily through surveys. The findings highlight a need for further well-being interventions for both residents and faculty surgeons, particularly focusing on career satisfaction and relationships.