The silent epidemic of surgeon burn-out and depression

Here in the United States, we face momentous, and as yet unclear, changes in the delivery of health care. Approximately 46 million Americans lack any health insurance at this time, and tens of millions of others have grossly inadequate health insurance. Therefore, many millions of Americans are just one major illness away from a financial catastrophe.

In addition to the huge dilemma of how we go about making health care more efficient and more affordable for everyone, the United States, like most countries around the world, is in the midst of a dramatic shift in the average age of its population. As the graying of America continues (not to mention the ongoing epidemic of obesity across all age ranges, as well), the growing need for high quality, comprehensive health care will continue to present major challenges to our health care system here, and in many other countries around the world.