Work, Life, and Meaning in Surgical Practice.

INTRODUCTION: Many US surgeons report burnout and have lost their sense of purpose. We aim to investigate these surgeons' attitudes and practices regarding work-life integration, boundary-setting with patients, and sources of meaning and satisfaction inside and out of surgery. We hypothesize that involvement in patients' lives increases fulfillment and flourishing. METHODS: We conducted interviews using six standardized questions. Audio recordings were transcribed, deidentified, and uploaded to NVivo for thematic qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: We conducted eleven interviews with practicing US surgeons. Eight (73%) acknowledged difficulty balancing their personal and professional lives. Several described this as a negotiation or integration rather than balance. Nine participants (82%) discussed the extent to which being a surgeon was part of their identity and impacted their sense of fulfillment and self-worth. We found that surgeons with high satisfaction were deliberate about creating and maintaining priorities in their personal and professional relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Practicing US surgeons have different opinions on professional boundaries and relationships. Many reject the idea of work-life "balance," instead striving to integrate their work and nonwork activities. Surgeons who report high satisfaction intentionally maintain their priorities and derive a significant value from relationships with patients and/or loved ones. Self-awareness and self-management are essential when negotiating personal and professional commitments and identity.

Duke Scholars

Author Ryan M Antiel Surgery, Pediatric General Surgery