VIDEO: Limb reconstruction surgeons ‘primed for burnout’ due to complicated surgeries
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Key takeaways:
- Many of the limb lengthening and reconstruction surgeons who responded to the survey noted burnout and unhealthy responses to complications.
- Surgeons should practice open communication to combat burnout.
In this video, Christopher A. Iobst, MD, discussed results from his study on the prevalence of burnout among limb reconstruction surgeons. He advocated for open communication to combat stress and fatigue.
“We often are dealing with very complicated patients — patients that have failed surgery elsewhere and come to us as a last resort. [We are] trying to manage them with surgeries that are complicated and have a high complication rate,” Iobst said. “Therefore, the field of limb lengthening and reconstruction is primed for burnout,” he added.
Iobst and colleagues performed a survey of 103 international limb reconstruction surgeons to assess burnout rates, other mental health concerns and response mechanisms. Iobst presented the results at the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society Annual Meeting, where the study was awarded first place for best paper.
They found 38% of respondents displayed burnout symptoms, with 16% of respondents exhibiting severe burnout. They also found 31% of the respondents reported unhealthy responses to dealing with complications or disappointing results in their patients. These responses included rumination, self-blame, internalization and loss of sleep.
“We would like this study to form a foundation for opening up an ability to have more communication among limb reconstruction surgeons to feel comfortable to reach out if you’re having trouble. Reach out to a colleague and make sure that you aren’t getting over-stressed or burned out,” Iobst said. “We are not all invincible. We do need help, and it’s very human to have these responses.”
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Iobst CA. Burnout in limb reconstruction surgeons. Presented at: Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society Annual Meeting; July 14-15, 2023; Lake Tahoe, California.
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