Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
Acute traumatic stress among surgeons after major surgical complications
Anna Pinto1, Omar Faiz1, Colin Bicknell1
1NIHR Imperial Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK.
Background:
Patient harm resulting from medical treatment may be a traumatic experience for health care staff. This study examined surgeons' levels of traumatic stress in the aftermath of the most recent major complication that happened in their patients' care and its relationship with surgeons' coping strategies, causal attributions, and perceived institutional culture around surgical complications.
Methods:
Forty-seven general and vascular surgeons from 3 National Health Service Trusts in London, UK completed a questionnaire assessing the aforementioned variables (64.4% response rate).
Results:
One-third of the participants reported traumatic stress of clinical concern 1 month after the incident. The use of self-distraction (P < .05) and being a general surgeon (P < .05) were predictive of traumatic stress of clinical concern in multiple logistic regression analysis.
Conclusions:
Some surgeons may experience acute traumatic stress after serious surgical complications. The extent to which this is of clinical concern is associated with their use of self-distraction as well as the clinical setting. Health care organizations need to attend to surgeons' psychological needs in the aftermath of serious adverse events.
More Related Videos
13:37A Mouse Tumor Model of Surgical Stress to Explore the Mechanisms of Postoperative Immunosuppression and Evaluate Novel Perioperative Immunotherapies
Published on: March 12, 2014
04:19Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Traumatic Memory
Psychosurgery
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Healing II: Complications