Gender Differences in Burnout and Barriers to Surgical Career Satisfaction: A Qualitative Exploration
Pamela Lu MD1,2 *, Alexandra B. Columbus MD MPH1*, Adam C. Fields MD1, Nelya Melnitchouk MD MSc1,2, Nancy L. Cho MD1 1Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 2Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA *Pamela Lu and Alexandra Columbus contributed equally to the design, analysis, and writing of the manuscript as co-first authors
Background:
Physician burnout is a highly prevalent issue in the surgical community. Burnout is associated with poor career satisfaction; female gender and younger age place surgeons at higher risk for burnout. We examined drivers behind burnout and career dissatisfaction in female and junior surgical faculty and explored gender-based differences.
Methods:
Participants included full time surgery faculty members at an academic surgery center. Male and female faculty members were included, at ranks ranging from instructor to associate professor. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by a faculty member at the institution until thematic saturation was reached. Fieldnotes were compiled from each interview, and this data was coded thematically.
Results:
Fourteen female faculty and nine male faculty members were interviewed. For both female and male faculty, lack of control with work life was a significant theme contributing to burnout (Table). Positive factors contributing to career satisfaction for both genders included enjoyment of patient care and teaching, teamwork and collegiality, and leadership support. For female faculty, the major theme of gender bias in the workplace as a risk factor for burnout was prominent. Male faculty struggled more than their female counterparts with guilt over complications and second victim syndrome.
Conclusion:
Gender differences driving career dissatisfaction and burnout exist between female and male surgical faculty. Acknowledging these differences when designing efforts to address physician wellness and decrease burnout is critical. 
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