A National Study on Burnout and Pain in Vascular Surgery

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the association between burnout and pain among vascular surgeons (VS) and vascular surgical trainees (VST) in Denmark.

In 2023, all clinically active VS/VST in Denmark were invited to participate in an anonymous survey consisting of validated questionnaires assessing burnout, perceived physical job demands, and pain.

Of 111 VS/VST in Denmark, a response rate of 72% was obtained (n = 80). The majority were men (54%, n = 43) and VS (75%, n = 60). Associations between burnout and pain in the nine body regions assessed were statistically significant (p = .035 to < .001). Surgeons reporting frequent pain (weekly or more often) had statistically significantly higher burnout scores compared with surgeons reporting pain less often (monthly or never) (p = .029 to < .001). Pain was primarily reported in the neck/shoulders, back, and head, with different main pain areas depending on type of surgical procedure primarily performed (open, endovascular, endovenous). Pain during or after surgery was reported by 65% (n = 51), with frequency ranging from always (8%, n = 6), to often (24%, n = 19) and sometimes (33%, n = 26). The overall burnout prevalence (ranging from mild to severe) was 72% (n = 58), of whom 32% (n = 26) reported moderate to severe burnout symptoms. On a scale from 0 - 100, the mean burnout score was 37.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 32.9 - 42.4) and varied between departments (p = .096) and job positions, with junior attendings reporting the highest levels of burnout (47.4, 95% CI 36.8 - 57.9) (attending vs. junior attending, p = .066; chief resident vs. resident, p = .58). Higher levels of perceived physical job demands were associated with higher levels of burnout (Pearson's r = 0.49).

This national study showed that pain during or after surgery is frequent among VS/VST and that it is significantly associated with burnout. Creating work conditions that mitigate pain and burnout is essential to support occupational health and to maintain a robust vascular surgical service.