Highlights
- •Surgeons reported that complex or rarely performed cases and poor assistance were associated with the highest levels of intraoperative stress, while personal life distractions were associated with the least.
- •40% of surgeons indicated that they had witnessed an intraoperative complication that was directly related to surgeon stress.
- •Surgeons use a variety of stress coping strategies, some positive and some negative.
- •Formal stress management training for surgeons was favored by 82% of respondents; this type of training may optimize performance during stressful situations and minimize complications.
Abstract
Background
The objective of this study was to determine sources of intraoperative stress, impact
on surgical outcomes, coping strategies, and surgeon interest in stress management
training.
Methods
An anonymous survey was electronically distributed to surgeons at a tertiary care
hospital. Respondents were asked to rate the perceived impact of 9 stressors on operative
performance, identify stress coping strategies, list witnessed stress-related complications,
and opine on the perceived need for stress management training.
Results
Seventy-two responses were received (76% relative risk). Complex or rarely performed
cases and poor assistance were associated with the highest stress, while personal
life distractions were associated with the least. Importantly, 40% of surgeons indicated
that they had witnessed an intraoperative complication directly related to surgeon
stress. Respondents (82%) believed that formal stress management training is needed.
Conclusions
Several stressors affect surgical performance and contribute to complications. Surgeons
use a variety of stress coping strategies. Formal stress management training is needed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 22, 2015
Received in revised form:
March 27,
2015
Received:
December 12,
2014
Footnotes
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
