This study in the Annals of Surgery sought to determine the incidence of burnout among American surgeons and evaluate personal and professional characteristics associated with surgeon burnout. Members of the American College of Surgeons were sent an anonymous, cross-sectional survey that evaluated demographic variables, practice characteristics, career satisfaction, burnout, and quality of life. The study found that burnout is common among American surgeons and is the single greatest predictor of surgeons’ satisfaction with career and specialty choice. Factors independently associated with burnout included younger age, having children, area of specialization, number of nights on call per week, hours worked per week, and having compensation determined entirely based on billing.