Beyond the scalpel: Supporting healthy romantic relationships in surgical life - 18/11/25

Doi : 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2025.116723

Jacquelyn E. Fitzgerald ^a, Carlie J. Arbaugh ^b, Burkely P. Smith ^c, Kimberly E. Kopecky ^c,^⁎
^a Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
^b Department of Surgery, Stanford Health Care, Stanford, CA, USA
^c Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

^⁎Corresponding author. Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, BDB 585, 1808 7th Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.Department of SurgeryUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBDB 5851808 7th Ave SouthBirminghamAL35294USA

Sous presse. Épreuves corrigées par l'auteur. Disponible en ligne depuis le Tuesday 18 November 2025

Abstract

Surgeons face demanding work conditions that often strain romantic relationships, yet institutional support remains limited. This national cross-sectional survey assessed how surgeons and their partners experience relationship strain and perceive institutional support. Participants were recruited through professional surgical networks using snowball sampling. Between June and July 2025, 333 respondents completed a 42-item survey addressing relationship health, work-related stress, communication, and available support. Mean relationship health was high (8.3/10), though 63 % (n = 140) reported work interference, particularly those working >60 h per week (p < 0.001). Major stressors included long hours, unpredictable schedules, and burnout. Relationship health was lower among those who rarely discussed their relationships (p < 0.015). Only 4 % (n = 9) reported access to formal institutional programs, and fewer than half perceived departmental support. Participants emphasized the need for predictable scheduling, partner inclusion, counseling access, and a culture promoting balance. Findings highlight the importance of structural and cultural reforms to sustain surgeon and partner well-being.

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Highlights

•	A national survey of 333 surgeons, trainees, and partners examined relationship health.
•	63 % reported frequent work-interference, significantly higher for those >60 weekly work hours.
•	Regular communication was linked to higher relationship health scores.
•	Only 4 % reported access to formal institutional support programs.
•	Participants desired flexible scheduling, partner inclusion, and counseling access.