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Reported pain at work is a risk factor for vascular surgery trainee burnout.
- Source :
-
Journal of vascular surgery [J Vasc Surg] 2024 May; Vol. 79 (5), pp. 1217-1223. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jan 11. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Background: Work-related pain is a known risk factor for vascular surgeon burnout. It risks early attrition from our workforce and is a recognized threat to the specialty. Our study aimed to understand whether work-related pain similarly contributed to vascular surgery trainee well-being.<br />Methods: A confidential, voluntary survey was administered after the 2022 Vascular Surgery In-Service Examination to trainees in all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited vascular surgery programs. Burnout was measured by a modified, abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory; pain after a full day of work was measured using a 10-point Likert scale and then dichotomized as "no to mild pain" (0-2) vs "moderate to severe pain" (3-9). Univariable analyses and multivariable regression assessed associations of pain with well-being indicators (eg, burnout, thoughts of attrition, and thoughts of career change). Pain management strategies were included as additional covariables in our study.<br />Results: We included 527 trainees who completed the survey (82.2% response rate); 38% reported moderate to severe pain after a full day of work, of whom 73.6% reported using ergonomic adjustments and 67.0% used over-the-counter medications. Significantly more women reported moderate to severe pain than men (44.3% vs 34.5%; P < .01). After adjusting for gender, training level, race/ethnicity, mistreatment, and dissatisfaction with operative autonomy, moderate-to-severe pain (odds ratio, 2.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.48-4.26) and using physiotherapy as pain management (odds ratio, 3.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-9.14) were risk factors for burnout. Moderate to severe pain was not a risk factor for thoughts of attrition or career change after adjustment.<br />Conclusions: Physical pain is prevalent among vascular surgery trainees and represents a risk factor for trainee burnout. Programs should consider mitigating this occupational hazard by offering ergonomic education and adjuncts, such as posture awareness and microbreaks during surgery, early and throughout training.<br />Competing Interests: Disclosures None.<br /> (Published by Elsevier Inc.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1097-6809
- Volume :
- 79
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of vascular surgery
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38215953
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2024.01.003