Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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The operating room (OR) remains a challenging and hierarchical work environment within healthcare, where the attending surgeon functions as a team captain. Unprofessional behavior or disconnects in this environment can lead to breakdowns in teamwork and reports within the safety event reporting system (SERS). Interventions focused on remediating adverse behaviors and team interactions should optimize team function and potentially enhance patient outcomes. The aim of the present study focused on decreasing the SERS reports regarding behavior and communication disconnects from November 2019 to March 2023. ⋯ The multidisciplinary task force developed and adapted a process to address communication and behavioral concerns in an efficient and supportive manner, with the objective of restoring relationships among team members in the perioperative environment and deweaponizing the SERS.
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Existing research exploring predictors of success on American Board of Surgery (ABS) examinations focused on either resident or residency program characteristics, but limited studies focus on both. This study examines relationships between both resident and program characteristics and ABS qualifying (QE) and certifying examination (CE) outcomes. ⋯ This study highlights resident and program characteristics that predict success on ABS examinations. USMLE scores consistently and strongly related to ABS examination success, providing evidence that USMLE scores relate to future high-stakes consequences like board certification. After controlling for previous performance, gender, IMG, and program %IMG significantly related to ABS examination success, but effects were small.
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Second victim syndrome (SVS) is described as when healthcare providers encounter significant moral distress after traumatic patient care events. Although broadly recognized in medicine, this remains underrecognized in surgery, and no systemic approaches exist to mitigate potential harms of SVS among surgeons. When SVS is left unaddressed, surgeons not only suffer personal psychological harm but their ability to care for future patients can also be compromised. The aim was to examine surgeons' perceptions and attitudes regarding mitigation of SVS. ⋯ Surgeons agreed that healthcare organizations have a moral imperative to assist surgeons in navigating the psychosocial impacts of SVS after adverse surgical outcomes. The success of mitigation strategies was viewed as ethically relevant to patients and surgeons and dependent on the culture, tenor, and tone of the process.