Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Frustrations in Providing Orthopaedic Trauma Care: An OTA Member Survey Study
Rebekah M Kleinsmith1,2, Stephen A Doxey1,2, Haley D Puckett1,2
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, TRIA Orthopaedic Center, Bloomington, MN.
Objectives:
To determine sources of frustration for surgeons and how they might affect job satisfaction within the orthopaedic trauma community.
Design:
Cross-Sectional Survey Study.
Setting:
International Online Survey.
Participant Selection Criteria:
After approval by the OTA research committee, the survey was available to all active and associate OTA Members.
Outcome Measures And Comparisons:
A 25-question survey regarding potential common causes of frustration, operating room (OR) utilization, and career satisfaction was electronically distributed to the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) membership.
Results:
Four hundred seventy-one surgeons participated in the survey (response rate 27.5%). The highest ranked source of frustration was OR turnover time, followed by staff turnover, and OR scheduling. Most reported they were very satisfied with their career (n = 240, 51.0%). The top 3 strategies to increase career satisfaction from most to least effective were increased compensation, case delay reduction, and decreased work hours. Most surgeons reported that if their number 1 frustration was solved, they would feel a higher level of career satisfaction (very satisfied: n = 344, 73.1%). Most felt their cases did not start on time (n = 273, 58.0%), with most respondents reporting that their cases were delayed on average between 15 and 60 minutes (n = 222, 81.9%). The number 1 ranked reason for case start delays was OR turnover and case setup, followed by the anesthesia team.
Conclusions:
Many surgeons within the orthopaedic trauma community reported concern with OR turnover time and staff turnover. Addressing these sources of frustration is crucial to maintaining surgeon well-being and can aid in optimizing delivery of patient care. Future studies should seek out institutions that have successfully addressed these common frustrations and identify potential strategies to improve the delivery of orthopaedic trauma care across North America.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
01:26Flail Chest-II
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
01:24Flail Chest-I
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...