Practical Strategies for Identifying and Managing Burnout in Plastic Surgeons.

Background: Physician burnout is a well-known problem and widespread issue in the field of medicine. Recently, more attention has been given to the significance of burnout among plastic surgeons. The cause of burnout is multifactorial, with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment all playing a role. The objective of this article is to provide practical measures to help plastic surgeons in identifying the signs of burnout, thereby mitigating its consequences.

Methods: A literature review was performed to determine the comprehensive findings of previous research conducted on burnout among plastic surgeons. Particular interest was given to successful tactics used in managing work-related stress. Wellness strategies and resources from both academic and private medical settings were also obtained to further review methods for burnout management.

Results: There is a wide range of causes and risk factors for burnout among plastic surgeons. The majority of cases correlate with increased workload, loss of physician autonomy, and, in the context of trainees, lack of mentorship. Managing burnout can be supported by identification through survey tools. Establishing a wellness committee is also useful to develop institution-specific interventions. Equally as important, individuals must take steps to manage and minimize their burnout.

Conclusions: This article provides practical strategies for institutions to identify and manage burnout among plastic surgeons. It is obvious that causes of burnout vary in different settings such as academic and community hospitals; therefore, it is critical for institutions to individualize their approach to burnout.