Newly published edition of ‘Update in Anaesthesia’ reflects on the evolving role of well-being in anaesthesia practice.
WFSA is pleased to announce the release of Update in Anaesthesia (UIA) Volume 39, a special issue focused on a topic of growing importance: the well-being of the global anaesthesiology workforce. Update in Anaesthesia is the official education journal of WFSA. With a back catalogue of over 650 articles covering 12 sub-specialities, UIA provides clear, concise and clinically-relevant overview articles for anaesthetists working with resource- limited settings around the world.
In 2024, WFSA focused its annual theme on Workforce Wellbeing, aiming to spark a global conversation across the anaesthesia community, highlighting the vital importance of supporting the mental, emotional, and physical health of anaesthesia professionals.
The culmination of this year of learning is this special edition of Update in Anaesthesia, which captures and reflects the insights, innovations, and shared experiences inspired by the theme. It serves as a lasting resource to inform future practice and advocacy.
At the centre of this Volume is a guest editorial by Dr Susan Nicoll, Chair of WFSA’s Workforce Well-Being Committee, titled “Guardians of Sleep – Well-being and Distress in the Global Anaesthesiology Workforce.”
Dr Nicoll speaks directly to anaesthesiologists around the world: “Our well-being… matters to our patients, our colleagues, our leaders… and our families, who want us to have something left for them.” Her message explores the many pressures faced by anaesthesia professionals and calls for responses that are both personal and collective.
She describes well-being as “a positive state of experience,” while noting that daily challenges such as long hours, limited resources, and exposure to critical incidents often push individuals toward distress. These pressures do not just affect professional performance, but also take a toll on personal life. As she writes, “We must manage our own distress response to be safe, functional anaesthesiologists.”
These issues are far from abstract. Burnout rates among anaesthesiologists have been reported at over 50% in the United States (Afonso AM et al. Burnout Rate and Risk Factors Among Anesthesiologists in the US. Anesthesiology. 2021 May). Research also suggests a higher risk of suicide compared to other medical specialities, particularly among early-career professionals (Alexander BH et al. Cause-specific mortality risks of anesthesiologists. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2000 Sep-Oct). These figures highlight why workforce well-being must be treated as a priority.
Dr. Nicoll traces the development of well-being as an area of focus in anaesthesia. Initially linked to specific issues such as substance use, it now includes a broader range of concerns that span the entire professional lifecycle. She emphasises that isolated wellness tips are not enough. “More is needed than just the wide range of recommended but generic personal well-being strategies sometimes provided by employers.” Meaningful support requires changes in education, peer support, leadership, and system design. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in formal structures, but also showed how vital informal support networks can be in difficult times.
Alongside the editorial, this issue of Update in Anaesthesia features articles exploring the many dimensions of workforce well-being:
• Interdisciplinary Aspects of Workforce Wellness in Anaesthesiology examines how teamwork and collaboration support anaesthesiologists well-being across mental, physical, emotional, and financial domains.
• Financial Wellness of Anaesthesiologists highlights the unique financial pressures in anaesthesia practice and offers strategies for achieving financial independence.
• Maintaining Work-Life Balance: Early and Mid-Career Transitions offers guidance on managing stress, building resilience, and navigating career changes to prevent burnout.
• Professional Burnout and Resilience explores data on mental health challenges and the role of emotional intelligence in building resilience, especially in low-resource settings.
• The Role of Leadership in Burnout Prevention and Collegial Wellbeing emphasises how wellness-centred leadership and initiatives like the VAST wellness course in Rwanda can promote a supportive work culture.
• Occupational Risks, Safety and Well-Being Among Anaesthesiologists calls for stronger safety protocols, mental health support, and institutional policies to protect providers and ensure quality care.
• Improving Patient Safety Through Knowledge and Experience Exchange outlines the WFSA’s mentoring programme as a tool to support training, leadership development, and patient safety globally.
Update in Anaesthesia Volume 39 is available to read online. We thank all contributors and editorial partners for their efforts in creating this important issue.
