Survey finds lasting distress among anesthesiologists after perioperative catastrophes

A 2025 voluntary survey of 1,725 ASA members, adapted from a 2012 national survey, found that 94.2% had experienced a perioperative catastrophe during their careers. Following a memorable event, 91.6% reported psychosocial symptoms and 72.5% reported physical symptoms, with most perceiving impaired ability to provide care in the first 4 to 24 hours afterward; 19.7% reported never fully recovering emotionally, similar to 2012 findings, and nearly a quarter considered leaving the specialty. The authors state that despite greater cultural awareness, formal debriefing and institutionally supported time off remain infrequently provided.

Most relevant for: Anesthesiologists and anesthesiology department leaders involved in perioperative critical event response and clinician support programs.

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