Discrimination, abuse, harassment, and burnout in surgical residency training

Summary

Physicians, particularly trainees and those in surgical subspecialties, are at risk for burnout. Mistreatment (i.e., discrimination, verbal or physical abuse, and sexual harassment) may contribute to burnout and suicidal thoughts.

In a study published in NEJM, Hu et al. carried out a cross-sectional national survey of general surgery residents administered with the 2018 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination assessed mistreatment, burnout (evaluated with the use of the modified Maslach Burnout Inventory), and suicidal thoughts during the past year.

They found mistreatment occurs frequently among general surgery residents, especially women, and is associated with burnout and suicidal thoughts.