Resilience Behind the Mask: The Hidden Grace of Surgeons

Surgeons occupy a uniquely challenging position within the healthcare system, frequently contending with intense mental, physical, and emotional demands. The pandemic has cast a spotlight on the vulnerabilities faced by surgical professionals, drawing renewed attention to the prevalence of burnout and psychological distress among them. Recent studies, indicate that almost half of surgeons experience symptoms of burnout, which manifest as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished professional fulfillment. Contributing factors range from workplace violence to heavy administrative workloads, all occurring within a culture that often stigmatizes vulnerability and valorizes stoic endurance. In addition, long operative hours and physical strain compromise surgeons’ physical health and may hinder their overall well-being. While much research has documented these burdens, there remains a significant gap regarding the mechanisms and resources that underpin surgeons’ resilience, as well as the ways in which these attributes are both cultivated and sustained in the face of adversity.

This Research Topic aims to examine the multidimensional challenges confronting surgeons and to identify strategies, interventions, and cultural shifts that reinforce resilience and support sustainable surgical careers. The objective is to move beyond merely chronicling burnout by exploring actionable initiatives—for example, institutional wellness programs, peer support frameworks, ergonomic reforms, and approaches to nurturing psychological safety. Furthermore, by framing these challenges against the backdrop of “hidden grace,” this Research Topic seeks to humanize the surgical profession, bringing to light stories of compassion, vulnerability, and perseverance. By integrating individual experiences with empirical research, the ultimate goal is to encourage both systemic transformation and individual empowerment, fostering a healthier and more supportive environment for surgeons worldwide.

This Research Topic encompasses the full spectrum of surgeon well-being—mental, physical, and emotional—while specifically focusing on limitations related to surgical practice and the professional environment. We invite contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

o Professional burnout and workplace stressors, including occupational safety, violence, second-victim experiences, and job satisfaction;
o Mental health and stigma, centered on substance use, anxiety, depression, coping mechanisms, barriers to seeking help, and suicide prevention;
o Physical health and performance, such as ergonomic practices, nutrition, prevention and management of chronic pain, and considerations of work-life balance and family planning;
o The role of institutional and peer-support programs in promoting resilience and well-being;
o Narratives and reflective essays that highlight the intersection of personal and system-level factors influencing surgeon wellness.

We welcome submissions in various formats, including editorials, reviews, reflective essays, and original research articles. Contributions from surgeons, trainees, educators, and multidisciplinary teams across diverse cultural and institutional contexts are encouraged. Submissions that blend personal narratives with analytic insight, or which propose innovative solutions to entrenched challenges, will be highly valued.