id_941. BURNOUT SYNDROME IN NEUROSURGEONS: PREVALENCE, DETERMINANTS, AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES.
Ram Prasad Subedi1, Aashish Baniya1, Bikram Bhandari1, Suraj Thulung1, Suresh Bishokarma1, Sagun Ghimire2
1 Upendra Devkota Memorial National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, Bansbari, Kathmandu, Nepal
2 B and B Hospital, Department of Surgery, Gwarko, Lalitpur, Nepal
INTRODUCTION: Burnout syndrome (BS), defined by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, is increasingly recognized in neurosurgery, a specialty marked by high cognitive demand, prolonged operative hours, medico-legal pressure, and intense academic expectations. Beyond personal distress, burnout affects patient safety, clinical outcomes, and workforce sustainability.
AIM(S): To examine the global prevalence of burnout in neurosurgeons and trainees, analyze its determinants using an ecological framework, and outline evidence-based prevention strategies.
METHOD(S): A structured narrative review was conducted using literature from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar with keywords including “neurosurgeon burnout” and “occupational stress.” Evidence from surveys, meta-analyses, and interventional studies was synthesized. Determinants were categorized into macro-(healthcare systems), meso-(institutional culture), and micro-level (individual factors) domains.
RESULTS: Reported burnout prevalence ranges from approximately 48–67% among practicing neurosurgeons, with pooled estimates near 51% among residents. Macro-level drivers include administrative workload, electronic documentation burden, productivity-based economic models, and medico-legal stress. Meso-level factors involve leadership style, staffing adequacy, operational inefficiencies, and cultural stigma toward mental health. Micro-level contributors include perfectionism, maladaptive coping, sleep deprivation, and poor work–life integration. Burnout is associated with depression, substance misuse, cardiovascular risk, increased medical errors, reduced empathy, lower patient satisfaction, and workforce attrition. Multi-level interventions such as EHR optimization, rationalized duty hours, supportive leadership, peer-support systems, and mindfulness-based programs demonstrate greater effectiveness when implemented collectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Burnout in neurosurgery represents a systemic challenge rather than individual weakness.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Self supported.