J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2026 May;69(3):482-492. 10.3340/jkns.2025.0172.

Burnout among Korean Neurosurgeons Following a National Trainee Withdrawal during 2024–2025 Medical Crisis in Korea

• Kim HG
• Cho WC
• Ahn S

• KMID: 2580449
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2025.0172

Abstract

Objective
: The 2024–2025 medical crisis in the Republic of Korea, triggered by mass trainee departures, caused severe staffing shortages in tertiary hospitals. The impact of this disruption on neurosurgeons’ workload, lifestyle, and mental health has not been evaluated. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout among neurosurgeons during the crisis, assess associated changes in workload and lifestyle, and identify key factors linked to burnout severity.
Methods
: We conducted a nationwide, questionnaire-based observational study from April 29 to June 4, 2025, targeting board-certified neurosurgeons in university hospitals across the Republic of Korea. Participants were recruited through departmental professional contacts and completed an online survey capturing baseline characteristics, paired pre-post crisis values for 14 workload and lifestyle variables, and three current-status items. Burnout was assessed using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) as the primary tool and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) as a supplementary measure.
Results
: Of 61 respondents, 36 (59.0%) met high-burnout criteria. After the crisis onset, all workload and lifestyle factors shifted unfavorably, with the largest increases in weekend/holiday duty (86.9%), night duty (82.0%), and sleep disturbance call (68.9%), and the largest declines in number of colleagues (-50.8%), leisure time (-47.5%) and family time (-44.3%). High-burnout surgeons had greater workloads, more off-hour duties, and less recovery time than low-burnout peers. Burnout severity correlated with staffing levels, working hours, night duty, time spent with family and leisure activities, job satisfaction, intention to leave, and all MBI subscales.
Conclusion
: Burnout among Korean neurosurgeons is widespread after the national medical crisis, with substantial deterioration in workload and lifestyle. Coordinated efforts at both hospital and national levels are essential to protect surgeon well-being and maintain the quality of neurosurgical care.

Keyword

Burnout; Neurosurgeons; Medical crisis; Korea; Workload