Comments on: Survey of Surgeons Shows Mental Health Issues, Burnout are Major Concerns

By: MILTON

MILTON — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:06:44 +0000

reduction in working hours and a calm environment in hospitals is what can be done to try and reduce or even prevent the burn out currently being experienced by a lot of surgeons.this is possible with the induction of additional health care personnel at the various facilities.

By: ronald jerrins

ronald jerrins — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:12:08 +0000

The pressures of working to save a human life are immense and this burnout seems to be a direct result of that pressure. While burn our does lead to mistakes by the surgeons, they should remind themselves that an error can prove to be fatal for the patient and they also need all the help they can get from their respective health facilities.

By: kennedy

kennedy — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:03:13 +0000

This not only affects the surgeons but their patients as well. Hence it must be amended with utmost importance…

By: Pauline

Pauline — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:54:06 +0000

If nine percent are actually owning up to making mistakes, you know that the number who atually have made mistakes and will not admit to it is probably double that. Certainly makes me think twice about turning myself over to surgeons if they are experiencing that much burnout and high level of mistakes. Realistically I know that we all make mistakes on the job, but for some of us the stakes are definitely a little higher! Alternative medicine is looking better and better.

By: chloe

chloe — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:53:16 +0000

It is very disturbing to know that such a large chunk of surgeons suffer from burn-out and tend to commit mistakes… but we cannot blame them either… they are constantly under a lot of pressure and any person would feel burnt out. I think what people, everybody in general, need is counselling and also need to be taught how to deal with stress.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:38:06 +0000

We put so much pressure on surgeons and doctors in general to be perfect that it does not surprise me to hear that many of them suffer from the same stress and anxiety that the rest of us do yet they have problems seeking out the help that they should know that they need. When I see things like this it only further assures me that we have miles and miles to go before people can accept mental illness as a reality and that they still look on it shamefully and think that people are lesser for admitting that they may have a problem in this area. And think about the responsibility that surgeons hold but then they don’t think that they can get help for what ails them. What a tragedy this could really end up being if they could not deal with their everyday problems and it could affect their performance in the OR in a negative way. Now think how you would really feel about that if it was you or a family member lying on that operating table. I would much rather deal with a doctor who realizes his limitations and knows when he needs help instead of one who thinks that he is superman and can deal with everything on his own. NO one is good enough to do that.

By: NICOLE

NICOLE — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:54:46 +0000

It is quite surprising to read that professionals in the medical fraternity themselves have qualms about seeking help from the relevant specialist and that too after knowing well that they tend to commit mistakes if this burn-out situation is left unchecked.