AAFPRS040 - Assessing the Prevalence of Burnout Among Female Microvascular Surgeons
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
4:10 PM – 4:15 PM CT
Location: Landmark D
Tania Benjamin, MD; Aaron Zebolsky, MS; Jacqueline Wulu, MD; Andrea Park, MD
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (Benjamin, Park)
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (Zebolsky)
Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (Wulu)
Background: Addressing physician burnout is important, and prior research has hinted at differences in stressors and burnout between male and female surgeons. We sought to study how head and neck microvascular free flap (MVFF) surgeons experience unique work demands and stressors, including in the COVID-19 pandemic, which may negatively impact their well-being, career satisfaction, and overall career trajectory.
Learning Objective: Understand differences in work experience and mental health outcomes between male and female head and neck MVFF surgeons
Study Objective: Study burnout prevalence among MVFF-trained surgeons and identify unique risk factors that contribute to their burnout
Design Type: Prospective questionnaire based on Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)
Methods: Questionnaire was distributed via web-based survey to the American Association of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in 2021. Additional variables collected included demographics, relationship and children status, academic rank, annual salary, and COVID-19 related questions.
Results: 41 surveys were collected. 9 were females who completed MVFF surgery fellowships. Women trended towards more emotional exhaustion than males (2.8 vs 2.0 MBI mean), though they also had higher personal achievement (5.3 vs 5.0). Men experienced less sexual harassment at work. Interestingly, women had a higher incidence of work-related stress (78% vs. 56%) and burnout (67% vs. 34%) during the COVID-19 pandemic relative to men.
Conclusion: Women MVFF surgeons experience more emotional exhaustion, sexual harassment, and COVID-19 related burnout than men. We hope our study results will help identify the barriers to work-life integration as well as delineate areas of improvement to overcome these barriers for future prospective trainees considering a career in microvascular surgery.