Surgeons’ dominant surgical modality: impacts on wellbeing, burnout, and interventions for neuromusculoskeletal disorders

Background This study investigated the impact of surgical modalities on surgeon wellbeing with a focus on burnout, job satisfaction, and interventions used to address neuromusculoskeletal disorders (NMSDs). Methods An electronic survey was sent to surgeons across an academic integrated multihospital system. The survey consisted of 47 questions investigating different aspects of surgeons’ wellbeing. Results Out of 245 thoracic and abdominopelvic surgeons, 79 surgeons (32.2%) responded, and 65 surgeons (82%) were able to be categorized as having a dominant surgical modality. Compared to robotic surgeons, laparoscopic (p = 0.042) and open (p = 0.012) surgeons reported more frequent feelings of burnout. The number of surgeons who used any treatment/intervention to minimize the operative discomfort/pain was lower for robotic surgeons than the other three modalities (all p < 0.05). Conclusions NMSDs affect different aspects of surgeons’ lives and occupations. Robotic surgery was associated with decreased feelings of burnout than the other modalities.