The Silent Struggle: Addressing Burnout in Anesthesiology, Including Locums
Burnout in anesthesiology is a reality we don’t talk about enough. We operate in a high-stakes, high-pressure environment where even the smallest miscalculation can have severe consequences. We are expected to be the calm in the storm, the steady hands behind the curtain, and the last line of defense for patient safety. But at what cost?
The Unseen Weight of the Job
Anesthesiologists face unique stressors compared to other specialties. The combination of long hours, overnight call shifts, production pressure, and the need for constant vigilance takes its toll. Add to that the emotional burden of managing high-risk cases, patient complications, and the occasional lack of appreciation for the work we do—it’s a recipe for exhaustion.
For locum tenens anesthesiologists, these challenges are compounded by frequent transitions, adapting to new hospital systems, and often working in understaffed environments. The flexibility of locums work can be appealing, but the lack of stability, changing expectations, and limited peer support can increase the risk of burnout.
Recent studies indicate that burnout rates among anesthesiologists are among the highest in medicine. The symptoms are familiar: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. It manifests as chronic fatigue, cynicism, irritability, and sometimes, a dangerous sense of detachment from our work.
Why It’s Hard to Talk About
One of the biggest challenges in addressing burnout is the culture of resilience in medicine. Anesthesiologists, by nature, are problem-solvers. We are trained to suppress our emotions in crisis situations and push through fatigue to ensure patient care remains unaffected. Admitting that we are struggling feels like a personal failure, even though burnout is a systemic issue rather than an individual weakness.
For locums providers, there’s an added layer of pressure—feeling like an outsider in a new facility, needing to prove oneself repeatedly, and lacking the long-term support systems that come with a permanent position. Many locums anesthesiologists take on demanding schedules to maximize earnings, but this can come at the expense of well-being.
The Systemic Contributors
While personal coping strategies can help, burnout is largely driven by system-level issues, including:
• Increased Workload and Productivity Pressures: Hospital systems emphasize efficiency, often increasing case volume without proportionally increasing staff support.
• Lack of Autonomy: Many anesthesiologists feel they have little control over their schedules or clinical decisions. For locums, this can be even more pronounced due to the need to conform to unfamiliar workplace norms.
• Documentation Burden: The ever-growing administrative workload adds hours to an already full day, particularly when learning a new system at each assignment.
• Moral Injury: Encountering ethical dilemmas, inadequate resources, or conflicts with hospital policies can erode a sense of purpose and professional fulfillment.
• Isolation: Locums work can be isolating, as providers rotate through hospitals without developing deep professional relationships or mentorship opportunities.
Moving Towards Solutions
Change won’t happen overnight, but small shifts in how we approach burnout can have a lasting impact. Here’s where we can start:
1. Normalize the Conversation – Creating a culture where anesthesiologists, including locums, can openly discuss burnout without fear of stigma is essential. Peer support groups, mentorship programs, and departmental debriefings after difficult cases can help break the silence.
2. Improve Work-Life Balance – Hospitals and anesthesia groups must acknowledge the need for sustainable schedules, flexible call systems, and adequate time off. For locums, this means setting realistic expectations for assignments and prioritizing contracts that align with personal well-being.
3. Advocate for Systemic Change – Professional organizations, including the ASA and SPA, should continue pushing for policies that address burnout, from reducing administrative burden to improving staffing ratios. Locums anesthesiologists should also push for fair contract terms, reasonable caseloads, and structured onboarding processes.
4. Prioritize Mental and Physical Health – Whether it’s therapy, exercise, mindfulness, or simply having hobbies outside of medicine, anesthesiologists must actively invest in their well-being. Locums providers, in particular, should establish routines that help maintain stability despite frequent changes in work settings.
5. Leverage Technology – AI-driven documentation tools, streamlined communication systems, and automated monitoring solutions can ease some of the daily burdens. For locums, maintaining a personal record-keeping system can help with tracking assignments, pay, and credentialing requirements efficiently.
A Call to Action
Burnout in anesthesiology is not just an individual issue—it’s a patient safety issue, a workforce retention issue, and ultimately, a threat to the future of our specialty. The conversation must continue beyond whispered frustrations in the break room. It’s time for leadership at every level to take burnout seriously and implement meaningful change.
For locum tenens providers, addressing burnout means advocating for fairer contracts, better working conditions, and stronger professional networks. Locums work provides freedom, but it should not come at the cost of mental and physical health.
Because at the end of the day, the ones who keep patients safe deserve to feel safe themselves.