A questionnaire-based survey exploring attitudes to human factors within the orthodontic team

Introduction Orthodontic service provision relies on good organisational systems for high standards of patient care and safety. Human factors (HFs) are non-technical skills associated with communication, leadership and teamwork, important for safe patient care. This investigation explored attitudes and understanding of HFs within orthodontic clinical training in the United Kingdom.Materials and methods A questionnaire-based qualitative and quantitative analysis including members of the orthodontic clinical team was undertaken at two teaching centres. A modified Operating Rooms Managements Attitudes questionnaire was used with a 5-point Likert scale. Participants indicated agreement or disagreement with statements around nine themes: leadership structure; confidence assertion; information sharing; stress; fatigue; teamwork; work values; error-procedural compliance; and organisational climate. Internal consistency among themes was assessed with Cronbach's alpha and differences in responses with chi-squared tests at 5%.Results In total, 80 responses were received from 96 invitees. Positive attitudes towards teamwork, error-procedural compliance, and organisational climate were found. Orthodontic consultants, trainees, and nurses recognised that human error is not a sign of incompetence. Stress and fatigue were less acknowledged by consultants and trainee groups. Trainees, nurses and therapists valued information sharing over the consultant group. Orthodontic trainees and nurse responses suggested further training might be required in leadership structure, confidence assertion, and work values.Conclusions Differences in attitudes and understanding of HFs within different professional groups in the orthodontic team exist.