Music in the Operating Room: Comparing the Opinions of Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, and Nurses

Music is part of operating room (OR) culture; however, some personnel may perceive music as a distraction.

A single institution survey of surgeons (SURG), anesthesia (ANES), and nursing (NURS) regarding attitudes on music in the OR.

There were 222 responses (67% response rate) agreeing that music in the OR should be allowed (91%), is calming (75%), and helps with focus (63%). Most did not feel music was distracting (63%) or unsafe (80%). SURG were more likely to state that surgeons should decide (46.7%) if music should be played, whereas ANES and NURS (81%) were more likely to feel decisions should be made collaboratively (P < .001).

Most OR personnel feel positively towards music. Surgeons were more likely to believe the decision to play music should be the surgeon's choice. The majority of OR staff agreed with collaborative decision-making, aligning with creating a safe OR culture.