The COVID pandemic has resulted in increased rates of burnout and mental illness among surgeons. The quiet epidemic of mental illness continues to leave both surgical trainees and staff at increased risk of self-harm or suicide. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Carrie Cunningham and Dr. Dawn Coleman about their efforts to change the narrative and provide data on the impacts of mental health on surgical training and practices. 

Disclaimer: Topics covered in this episode may be sensitive for some listeners. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please get in touch with a trained professional or call 988 for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Guests

• Dr. Carrie Cunningham (nee Lubitz) (@lubitz_carrie) is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, Section head of the Massachusetts General Hospital Endocrine Surgery Unit, and Associate Director at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Technology Assessment.
• Dr. Dawn Coleman (@DawnDM_vasc) is the newly appointed Division Chief for the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Duke University.

Additional Resources

• Vascular surgeon wellness and burnout: A report from the Society for Vascular Surgery Wellness Task Force
• If you need Mental Health Resources for Physicians or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
• For more information on the Lorna Breen Foundation. 
• For more information about Jo Shapiro.

What other topics would you like to hear about? Let us know more about you and your thoughts about our podcast through our Listener Survey or email us at [email protected].

Follow us on Twitter @audiblebleeding

Learn more about us at https://www.audiblebleeding.com/about-1/ and #jointheconversation.