Burnout and work-life balance in neurosurgery: Current state and opportunities

BACKGROUND: Burnout is a syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of personal accomplishment. The syndrome has been recognized as a pandemic among physicians. The demanding nature of neurosurgery makes neurosurgeons, particularly prone to burnout. In recent years, pioneering work has shed light on burnout in the field of neurosurgery. METHODS: We have reviewed the literature in PUBMED on burnout in physicians, focusing on neurosurgical publications. RESULTS: In this manuscript, we explore the topic of burnout in neurosurgery by reviewing definitions, magnitude, etiologies, sequelae, and mitigation strategies. CONCLUSION: Ongoing education, recognition, and targeted interventions for neurosurgeons at different career stages are needed to manage burnout proactively and ensure a resilient neurosurgery workforce.