SVS Wellness Task Force Survey Finds Vascular Surgeons Commonly Have Symptoms of Burnout and Depression

July 6, 2021—In a study undertaken by Coleman et al on behalf of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Wellness Task Force, symptoms of burnout and depression were common findings among vascular surgeons surveyed. Results of the study were published in Journal of Vascular Surgery.

The SVS Wellness Task Force is charged with addressing vascular surgeon burnout. Vascular surgeons were surveyed confidentially and electronically to identify the prevalence of and risk factors contributing to burnout to guide future SVS initiatives to mitigate it.

The survey included 38 questions that used the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), which measures three dimensions of burnout (emotional exhaustion [EE], depersonalization [DP], and personal accomplishments), as well as Borg’s CR-10 and an item from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Facility/Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture to capture work-related pain and work unit safety. Scores of ≥ 27 on the MBI EE module and ≥ 10 on the MBI DP module were considered high scores, and vascular surgeons with high scores in either domain were considered to have at least one symptom of burnout. Bivariate analysis was used to measure personal and professional factors associated with burnout, and these variables were included in multivariate logistic regression models to identify independent risk factors for burnout.

Of 2,905 active SVS members who received the survey, 889 completed it in its entirety (response rate, 34.3%); responses from 872 practicing vascular surgeons were ultimately analyzed. Mean age was 49.7 ± 11.0 years with an average time in practice of 16 years; most were male (81%) and married (84%) with children (83%). Respondents spend an average of 63.4 ± 14.2 clinical hours and 2.7 ± 1.7 nights on call each week, as well as 5.0 ± 6.1 hours on the electronic medical record (EMR) and 5.6 ± 5.4 hours on administrative and scholarly work.

Of participating surgeons, 41.3% (n = 360) had at least one symptom of burnout. Those with high EE/DP scores worked more hours (mean, 65.7 vs 61.6 hours; P = .0003), had more nights on call (2.8 vs 2.7 days; P = .0361), spent more hours after work on the EMR (mean, 5.6 vs 4.6 hours; P = .0007), and spent more administrative/scholarly hours outside of work (mean, 6.0 vs 5.3 hours; P = .0162). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, work-related physical pain (score ≥ 4), conflict between work and personal responsibilities, and grade of work unit safety were independent risk factors for burnout.

Almost 37% (n = 321) screened positive for depression, and those with high EE/DP scores more commonly had symptoms of depression (62.4% vs 19%; P < .0001). In multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for depression were enough family time, work-related physical pain (score ≥ 4), recent work-home conflict, self-reported concern over making a medical error in the last 3 months, and poor/failing work unit safety grade.

Suicidal ideation was reported by 8% (n = 69) of respondents, and those with high EE/DP scores had a greater incidence (14.7% vs 3.1%; P < .0001). Female gender, work-related physical pain (score ≥ 7), concern over having made a medical error in the last 3 months, and poor/failing work unit safety grade were independent risk factors for suicidal ideation.

Given these results, organizational and professional societies should work to implement profound and effective changes to address drivers of occupational distress, depression, and suicidal ideation, noted the investigators.