SRS04 - Breaking the cycle: a systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions against burnout in surgeons

Abstract Aims The prevalence of burnout is high amongst surgeons and can have significant consequences on mental and physical health. This systematic review aims to establish the effectiveness of different interventions to combat burnout. Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines of Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases from January 2000 to February 2025. Studies with primary data regarding measurable outcomes for burnout were included. Results 3300 records were identified, and 172 studies were included for full text screening, yielding a total of 44 studies. Sample sizes ranged from 8 to 6373 with surgeon experience ranging from resident doctors to consultants. The most common assessment tool of burnout identified was the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The most common interventions were based in mindfulness followed by wellness programmes encompassing diet, exercise, rest and well-being sessions. Other interventions included rota changes and mentorship. The mindfulness initiatives were associated with lower perceived stress, and burnout. Most wellness initiatives did not show significant change in burnout and were associated with low attendance whilst most mentorship and coaching programmes showed significant improvements in emotional exhaustion. Limitations of this study included the heterogeneity of the interventions and burnout measurement tools. Conclusions This study has shown there are a range of interventions available to combat burnout. Whilst several studies did not show significant change, there is evidence that these interventions can lead to reduced stress and anxiety and improvement in surgeon burnout.