According to a recent study, two out of three pain specialists are experiencing severe burnout, which can affect patient treatment. Social psychologist Claire Ashton-James from Australia warned that the prevalence of chronic patient pain is increasing, leading to prolonged burnout from chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors among specialists. The COVID-19 pandemic made burnout levels even worse. Ashton-James quoted a US study from 2021 to reflect Australian trends, revealing that anaesthetists, specialising in airways and breathing, have the highest level of burnout, at 63%. Burnout symptoms can cause cognitive impairment, diagnostic inaccuracy, anxiety, low patient treatment expectations, lack of self-value, substance abuse and may lead to leaving the profession. Ashton-James emphasised the importance of raising awareness of burnout risks to prevent it and help pain medicine specialists thrive. There are 560 specialist pain medicine physicians in Australia who are fellows of the faculty. The burden of pain in the community is significant, emphasised faculty dean Kieran Davis, making it vital to work with patients and help educate the community about pain and how it is treated. Pain medicine specialists serve as consultants to other physicians and are often the principal treating physician.