Chapter 13 - Occupational well-being, resilience, burnout, and job satisfaction of surgical teams

ABSTRACT

Resilience and occupational health of healthcare workers have emerged as central to the sustainable functioning healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the range of interventions used to address this challenge remains fragmented, resting on variable empirical evidence and highly variable outcomes. Surgical team burnout is a syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, depression, and a decreased sense of personal accomplishment caused by work-related stressors. Clinicians are at a unique increased risk for burnout as a result of immense stress throughout their training and careers, long work hours, delayed gratification, challenges with sustaining work and home balance, and challenges associated with patient care and harm prevention. Future endeavors need to provide meaningful solutions, both in providing resources and pathways for perioperative team members who are already burned out and, more importantly, teaching clinicians to respond more effectively to their environment to help mitigate burnout and mortal injury. Specific protocols to reduce burnout among surgical teams from the beginning of their training and throughout their professional careers are needed. This chapter offers a systematic overview and evaluation of the structure, effectiveness, and resources required for implementing a wellness program, and a better understanding of what does and does not work. Feedback from those participating in these programs can provide a significant amount of information and help surgical team members from all disciplines. The development and implementation of effective programs may help clinicians before the problem dramatically affects their lives and directly impacts patient care and outcomes.