Global Cardiac Anesthesia Workforce Assessment: A Cross-Sectional Observational Survey Study
Authors' conclusion
A global survey of the cardiac anesthesia workforce found inconsistency in the training, job satisfaction, and daily practice of cardiac anesthesiologists. The rate of burnout was high, and many respondents would like to make work-related changes to improve work-life balance.
Study context
- Population
- Anesthesiologists actively practicing cardiac anesthesia, globally
- Participants
- 3,430 participants · 99 countries
- Outcome
- Demographics, training background, practice setting and work environment of cardiac anesthesiologists
Methodological detailsmultilingual web-based survey, non-probabilistic sample, snowballing, Web-based survey June 1–December 31, 2023, distributed via cardiac anesthesia societies, special interest groups and social media
- Multilingual web-based survey
- Non-probabilistic sample
- Snowballing
- Web-based survey June 1–December 31, 2023, distributed via cardiac anesthesia societies, special interest groups and social media
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Aged 31–60 years
- 85.9% (n = 2,913/3,390)
- Completed accredited adult cardiac fellowship
- 48.4% (n = 1,347/2,780)
- Only informal training "on the job"
- 42.7% (n = 918/2,148)
- No formal TEE training
- 44.6% (n = 1,240/2,780)
- Working 41–60 h/week
- 43.3% (n = 1,149/2,652)
- Working 61–80 h/week
- 26.8% (n = 711/2,652)
- Working >81 h/week
- 10.5% (n = 279/2,652)
- Compensation less than adequate or just adequate but not enough to save for retirement
- 68% (n = 1,778/2,609)
- Considering changes to reduce workload
- 46.3% (n = 1,185/2,560)
- Work-life balance just right
- 23.1% (n = 592/2,560)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Factors associated with burnout (regression analysis)
| OR (CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Increase in clinical work hours | 1.28 ([1.16, 1.42]) | P < 0.001 | |
| Number of cardiac call | 1.05 ([1.02, 1.08]) | P < 0.001 | |
| Type of cardiac call | 1.09 ([1.0, 1.19]) | P = 0.03 | |
| Older age groups | 0.78 ([0.67, 0.90]) | P < 0.001 | |
| More positive outlook on work-life balance | 0.88 ([0.85, 0.92]) | P < 0.001 | |
| Geographical region | 1.12 ([1.06, 1.18]) | P < 0.001 | |
| 0.512Odds ratio (log scale) |
Respondents above 50 years of age, by region
- Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
- 51.1% (n = 48/94)
- Asia
- 45.2% (n = 606/1,341)
Burnout (emotional exhaustion, single-question item), overall prevalence
- Overall prevalence
- 31.7% (n = 827/2,609)
Factors associated with burnout (regression analysis)
- No cardiac call vs all cardiac call in hospital: significantly decreased burnout risk
- Higher perceived compensation vs less than adequate: increasingly lower burnout risk
Burnout in Asia (subgroup)
- Burnout, Asia (highest odds)
- 41.3% (n = 342/829)
- Feeling completely burned out, Asia
- 15.6% (n = 129/829)
Original publication
Global Cardiac Anesthesia Workforce Assessment: A Cross-Sectional Observational Survey Study. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 4 March 2025. doi:10.
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