Managing intraoperative stress: what do surgeons want from a crisis training program?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Occupational Stress Management

Background:

• Current surgical training lacks opportunities for surgeons to manage intraoperative stress.
• Unmanaged stress can negatively impact surgical performance and patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perceived need for structured stress management training for surgeons.
• To propose an intervention design for intraoperative stress management.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 15 semistructured interviews with surgeons.
• Analyzed interview data using standard qualitative methods to identify stressors and coping strategies.

Main Results:

• Confirmed known stressors and coping mechanisms in the operating room.
• Identified key intervention components: stress recognition, impact on performance, coping strategies, feedback, and simulation-based practice.

Conclusions:

• There is a clear need for structured training in managing intraoperative stress.
• Surgeons are receptive to simulation-based interventions to improve performance and patient safety.