Stress among thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons: a nationwide French survey

Stress is increasingly recognized as a major challenge in surgical practice, particularly in high-stakes specialties such as thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, where it may be associated with impaired well-being and professional functioning. Data on its distribution, correlates and consequences among thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons remain limited. This study is descriptive and hypothesis-generating. Cross-sectional online survey distributed between August and December 2024 through the French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (SFCTCV), whose professional registry (1,009 surgeons) provides a near-exhaustive national reference. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic and professional data, assessed perceived stress with the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and explored the self-reported impact of stress and coping strategies. A post hoc multivariable linear regression of the PSS-10 score was performed. Of 766 invited surgeons, 253 responded (≈ 33% response rate; 25% of the registry); after excluding 3 retired surgeons, 250 were analysed. Figures are reported as observed proportions among respondents, not as national prevalence. The mean PSS-10 score was 16.8 ± 6.0 (Cronbach’s alpha 0.83); 68 respondents (27.2%) scored low, 166 (66.4%) moderate and 16 (6.4%) high. At least one of six domains of personal life was rated moderately impacted by 87.6% (219/250) of respondents and strongly impacted by 47.2% (118/250); 35.6% (89/250) reported a self-reported feeling of burnout (single item) and 3.6% (9/250) suicidal ideation. Self-perceived intraoperative manifestations of acute stress were frequent, including loss of dexterity at least once a year in 32.4% (81/250) and deterioration of communication in 68.0% (170/250). After adjustment, higher weekly working hours and female sex were independently associated with higher perceived stress. Interest in a dedicated stress-management programme was moderate to high (mean 6.0 ± 3.1 on a 0–10 scale), and 86.8% (210/242) of respondents to the item endorsed at least one form of support. Among responding French thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons, perceived stress was predominantly moderate and was associated with adverse self-reported personal and professional consequences, while formal stress-management training was largely absent. Integrating stress-management training into surgical education may help support surgeon well-being; these associative findings require confirmation in prospective work.