Burnout Amongst Surgeons: Why it Matters and How Can We Manage it?

Burnout Amongst Surgeons: Why it Matters and How Can We Manage it?

From The NASS Podcast by North American Spine Society

May 4, 2026 · 37 min

About this episode

The episode discusses physician burnout, its contributing factors, and strategies for managing it.

In this episode, Melvin Helgeson, MD and Peter Rhee, MD discuss physician burnout, including its definition, contributing factors, and the distinction between stress and burnout. Rhee shares his personal experience with burnout and highlights the importance of awareness, open dialogue, and accessing appropriate support resources. The conversation also explores cultural challenges in medicine, strategies for supporting colleagues, and opportunities to improve trainee well-being.

People in this episode

Guests: Melvin Helgeson, MD, Peter Rhee, MD

Topics covered

  • physician burnout
  • stress vs burnout
  • cultural challenges in medicine
  • support resources
  • trainee well-being

Keywords

  • burnout
  • physicians
  • stress
  • support
  • well-being
  • medicine
  • dialogue

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