AIMS: No employment sector has been more heavily pressed by COVID-19 than healthcare. This study aimed to characterise surgical trainee burnout related to the pandemic, following a previous observational cohort study reporting 59% burnout. METHODS: A 36-point survey, including the 22-point Maslach Burnout Inventory evaluated emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and personal accomplishment amongst all surgical trainees within a UK Statutory Education Body, with responses received from 121 (75 Core (CST), 46 Higher Surgical Trainees (HST)). RESULTS: High burnout levels were evident across one, two, or all three domains in 60.3% (n = 73), 32.2% (n = 39) and 13.2% (n = 16), respectively. Median emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment scores were 19 (range 0-48), 7 (0-25) and 36 (6-48), respectively. Median emotional exhaustion score was related to age (25-29yr 25 vs. >40yr 4; p = 0.016), trainee grade (CST 23 vs. HST 13; p = 0.001) and parenthood (parents 13 vs. not parents 21; p = 0.011), as was depersonalisation: 9 (25-29yr) vs. 1 (>40yr; p = 0.001), 8 (CST) vs. 6 (HST; p = 0.006) and 5 (parents) vs. 8 (not parents; p < 0.001), respectively. COVID-19 induced curriculum working pattern disruption was observed in 82.6% (n = 100), with 31.4% (n = 38) redeployed away from surgery. Barriers to training and career development were the commonest stressors (71.9%) and more prevalent among younger trainees (25-29yr. 76.8% vs. >40yr. 28.6%; p = 0.045) and CST (80.0% vs. HST 58.7%; p = 0.011). Clinical workload concerns were associated with emotional exhaustion (OR 3.12; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Burnout endures, though unique adverse clinical work environments may have boosted resilience. Countermeasures including Enhanced Stress Resilience Training remain a priority.
SP4.1.16 V is for vicious: a COVID burnout vector perspective