Occupational health in surgery: risks extend beyond the operating room

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Surgical Safety
• Infectious Disease Transmission

Background:

• Surgeons are exposed to infectious materials, with percutaneous exposure risks for HIV (0.3-0.4%), HBV (6-30%), and HCV (2.7-10%).
• Blood contact rates in operating rooms can be high, with residents and obstetrics/gynecology surgeons at elevated risk.
• While preventive measures have reduced infection risks, psychosocial risks for surgeons remain significant and often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the occupational risks, including infectious exposures and psychosocial stressors, faced by surgeons.
• To highlight the importance of addressing psychosocial well-being in surgical professions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on occupational exposures and health risks in surgeons.
• Analysis of reported rates of blood-borne infections and contributing factors.
• Examination of psychosocial health data for surgeons compared to other professional groups.

Main Results:

• Obstetrics and gynecology surgeons report high exposure rates (10%), with risk factors including trauma, emergency procedures, and manual tissue handling.
• Nurses and other healthcare workers may face higher risks of infectious exposure than surgeons.
• Surgeons exhibit higher rates of divorce, alcoholism, substance abuse, and suicide compared to comparable professions, with general surgeons having the highest suicide rates.

Conclusions:

• Preventive measures have mitigated but not eliminated the risk of blood-borne infections for surgeons.
• Psychosocial risks, including mental health issues and work-life balance challenges, are critical concerns for surgeons.
• Strategies such as increased self-awareness, delegation, and work-life boundary setting are recommended for improving surgeons' well-being.