Burnout prevention among anesthesiologists

Abstract

Burnout is a significant issue among healthcare professionals, particularly anesthesiologists, with rates considerably higher than in other fields. Recognized as an occupational hazard due to unmanaged workplace stress, it manifests through emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment. Contributing factors include high workloads, lack of autonomy, and poor peer-support, often coupled with sleep deprivation and team disconnection. The intensified demands from the COVID-19 pandemic triggered an increase in its relevance. These stressors impact both healthcare workers’ mental health, leading to conditions like depression and anxiety, and patient safety by increasing error rates and reducing care quality. Interventions to combat burnout target individual resilience, organizational changes, and enhanced teamwork. Effective strategies recently applied to the anesthesiology environment include structured team briefings, meaning- centered psychotherapy to restore purpose, and flexible scheduling systems to improve work-life balance. Some initiatives promote positive work environments by fostering robust metrics and team dynamics, while other programs emphasize social support and resilience building. Addressing these elements, particularly for anesthesiology staff and trainees, can improve both provider wellbeing and patient care quality, offering a path to mitigate the burnout crisis in healthcare.