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Pressure points: A pilot study using the NASA-TLX tool to measure the intensity of Acute care surgery work
Jennifer L Hartwell1, Jocelyn Hunter Rose1, Stepheny Berry1
1Department of Surgery, Division of Acute Care Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, 4000 Cambridge St., Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
Background:
Research defining a Full Time Equivalent (FTE) in Acute Care Surgery (ACS) has drawn attention to the stress of ACS work, however variability of the intensity of different shifts is less understood.
Study Design:
A daily 10-point assessment measured work-intensity in 6 domains: physical, mental, temporal, effort, frustration, performance (NASA-TLX), and burnout via Single Item Burnout Question (SIBO).
Results:
The highest levels of burnout: Emergency General Surgery (EGS), backup, and 24hr call (p < 0.01). Highest physical demand: 24hr call (13, p < 0.01); mental load: EGS (13, p < 0.01), Surgical Intensive Care Unit (13, p < 0.01), and 24hr call (13, p < 0.01); EGS demanded highest effort (13.5, p < 0.01) and temporal load (10, p < 0.01).
Conclusion:
ACS Surgeons perceived differences in intensity of various shifts. FTE data is applicable to inform workforce planning, but a nuanced approach considering workload intensity is needed.