The Pandemic's Lasting Toll: Surgeon Burnout and Depression

They're some of the most crucial contributors to society and they need our help.

Healthcare Providers Under Pressure: The Pandemic's Psychological Impact

Long before the pandemic sent our medical systems reeling, healthcare workers were already under immense stress.

Mounting evidence is indicating that healthcare professionals — who perform one of society’s most important jobs — require much more care themselves.

A study led by Dr. Jessica Lie has offered insight into the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical residents, highlighting the need for mental health support systems within medical education.

Core Findings: Surgeon Burnout, Depression, and Personal Stressors

The study, published in the Journal of Surgical Education, collected survey data from UBC surgical residents. Most reported symptoms of burnout, and nearly half reported depression symptoms, signaling a clear need for increased mental health support.

Overall, the mental health of surgical residents was significantly impacted by the pandemic, and it could be worse than reported:

• 57% of residents reported burnout, and 46% reported depression symptoms

• A higher risk of depression was associated with concerns about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) availability

• Residents living with family members who had comorbidities (presence of two or more conditions) reported increased depression rates, indicating a combination of personal and professional stressors

The study’s response rate was only 36%, suggesting that surgeon burnout and depression could be larger problems than the findings suggest. Moreover, the researchers note that residents experiencing severe symptoms may be less likely to respond, leading to more conservative estimates.

"Concern for family members, and worry regarding pandemic preparedness, were all factors that affected resident mental health.

Implications: Preparing Healthcare Providers for the Next Pandemic

The pandemic taught us that the world simply wasn't prepared for a global health crisis. Now we're learning that any preparation must extend to supporting our medical teams, the very people we entrust with our care.

If left unaddressed, widespread burnout and depression could translate into long-term consequences for patient care and the future of the healthcare workforce.

Support will require going beyond ad hoc wellness workshops or one-time seminars to include integrated strategies:

• Integrated long-term support can include everything from accessible counseling services and peer support groups to dedicated time for mental health breaks.

• Structured mentorship programs and regular check-ins with supervisors can help destigmatize conversations about stress and depression, making it easier for residents to seek help before reaching a crisis point.

• Protocols can be prepared for rapid deployment of mental health resources during emergencies, with flexible leave policies for those facing acute stress.

  
  

Investments in comprehensive medical health supports today can pay dividends tomorrow. That's largely because burnout has been strongly linked to increased medical errors, lower patient satisfaction, and higher rates of attrition from medical careers.

"Effective screening tools and strategies to identify surgical residents in need of urgent intervention, and facile program structures to help prevent residents from experiencing adverse mental health outcomes, need to be formalized."

Global Perspectives: Many Medical Professionals are Struggling

The psychological toll that medical professionals face has been echoed in Italy, the UK, the US, and beyond, even before the pandemic.

Issues like fatigue, anxiety, and burnout are all too common. From fear of infection to the emotional burden of losing patients, the problems tend to compound:

• 41% of UK doctors have experienced worsening mental health symptoms related to depression and anxiety (British Medical Association).

• A Harvard study found that ~50% of 43,000 healthcare workers reported burnout, with nurses (56%) and other clinical staff (54.1%) reporting the highest levels. Many intended to leave their jobs due to stress and overwork.

• A 2023 report out of Italy found significant levels of burnout exacerbated by the pandemic, which is consistent with other reports.

  
  

Although responses to these challenges have not been swift, initiatives have shown promise. For instance, the UK’s National Health Service has established hotlines for staff, and similar projects are being launched across France and Spain.

Future in Focus: Setting Frontline Workers Up for Personal and Professional Success

The pandemic has exposed acute vulnerabilities across most hospital preparedness factors, like PPE, logistics, and psychological well being of frontline workers.

While the industry worries about high turnover and brain drain, unaddressed psychological pressures will continue to exacerbate the global shortage of skilled healthcare workers.

Given our aging populations and growing reliance on medical systems, mental health support for healthcare workers becomes more critical by the day.

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