Burnout and Career Satisfaction Among Canadian Vascular Surgeons

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(1) To determine the scope and severity of burnout in Canadian vascular surgeons, (2) to quantify the impact of occupational burnout, and (3) to inform on potential intervention strategies. A survey was developed following the American College of Surgeons study containing the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Primary Medical Evaluation of Mental Disorders, Short Form Health Study, and questions surrounding demographics, medical errors, and coping behaviors. It was confidential and administered via SurveyMonkey and accessible to one researcher. The survey was circulated via email to all active members of the Canadian Society of Vascular Surgery. Research ethics board approval was attained before administration. Responses were anonymously recorded through open-text, Likert scales, and multiple choice answer fields. Consistent with American College of Surgeons survey analysis, categories were evaluated according to original marking schemes. Results were presented in aggregate form. Primary outcome variables included burnout scope and severity, stressors, and correlation to medical errors. Secondary variables included measurements of burnout criteria and work-life balance. Two hundred ten Canadian Society of Vascular Surgery members were surveyed. Reminders circulated until a 34% response rate (n = 72) and saturation were achieved. Respondents were 89% male and 11% female, predominantly Caucasian, and married with children. Sixty percent of surgeons worked in academic hospitals and 40% in community hospitals, representing well the Canadian vascular environment. Burnout was reported in 34% of respondents. Symptoms of emotional exhaustion were present in 50% of respondents, depersonalization in 25%, and reduced sense of accomplishment in 35%. Seventy-one percent reported the ability to separate stress from providing high-quality care while 29% felt poor emotional health rendered them less able to do so. Fifty-three percent of reported symptoms of depression and loss of interest in previously enjoyed things. Thirty percent reported increased callousness toward others, and 10% of respondents experienced panic attacks within the past 6 months. The commonly cited stressors included poor work-life balance, lack of support systems, and unrealistic job expectations. This is the first study to quantify burnout and causal factors in Canadian vascular surgeons. It confirms that burnout, depression, and job dissatisfaction are major issues. Burnout is primarily attributed to infrastructural limitations and conflicting institutional demands, citing a lack of collegial and administrative support. No significant admission in correlation to medical errors or substance dependency was found. Respondents derive great purpose from their careers yet would not recommend it to others. Further investigation into specific environments and individual practice is warranted to inform effective interventions.