Physician burnout causes numerous downstream negative effects (i.e., increase in health care costs,1 decreased quality of patient care,2 and difficulties with personal relationships3 ). Although the rate of burnout in anesthesiologists has decreased since 2014,4 our satisfaction with work-life integration is still below average compared to other specialties.4 Some contributing factors include the inability to control our schedule5 and spending too much time at work.6
On the flip side, well-being is associated with the ability to have meaningful conversations with, to be understood by and to feel appreciated by others.7 Our well-being improves when our family and friends understand the work-related stressors we face.8 However, it is often challenging for our adult family and friends to understand what we, as anesthesiologists, actually do.
This challenge is even harder for children. Typically, a child’s main exposure to physicians is at their pediatrician’s...
