Burnout in pediatric urology: Risks, resources, and solutions

In a recent interview, Nicolette G. Payne, MD, a urology resident at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, shared her perspective on how pediatric urologists—particularly those in high-risk groups—can better manage and prevent burnout in their practices. Although noting that her insights are based on personal opinion rather than direct evidence from her research, Payne emphasized the importance of individual coping strategies, organizational support, and access to mental health resources. She is the author of a recent Urology paper evaluating burnout among pediatric urologists.¹

At the individual level, Payne highlighted the value of finding personal activities that help maintain energy and positivity, such as spending time with family, exercising, or engaging in hobbies. She stressed that building healthy coping mechanisms is essential for mitigating burnout and sustaining long-term career satisfaction.

Payne also pointed to the critical role of leadership and institutional culture in addressing burnout. She encouraged practice leaders and administrators to be proactive in recognizing signs of dissatisfaction or high turnover among staff and to investigate workplace factors that may contribute to burnout. She suggested that leadership pay particular attention to groups shown to be at higher risk, including younger physicians, women in the field, and those working extended hours, and to prioritize creating supportive systems for these individuals.

Overall, Payne called for a combined approach of personal resilience strategies, leadership engagement, and resource availability to reduce burnout and foster well-being among pediatric urologists.

REFERENCE

1. Payne NG, Salevitz D, Dvorak N, North A, Grimsby GM. Prevalence, risk factors, and coping strategies for burnout among pediatric urologists. Urology. 2025 Jun 13:S0090-4295(25)00592-8. doi:10.1016/j.urology.2025.06.025