Self-Reported Surgeon Health Behaviours: A Multicentre, Observational Exploration With the Association of Surgeons in Training Into the Modifiable Factors That Impact Surgical Performance

NCT04677036 | Completed

• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Introduction: Surgeons regularly educate patients on health promoting behaviours including diet, sleep and exercise. No study thus far has explored surgeons' personal compliance with these health-behaviours and their relationship with surgical performance. The primary outcomes this study were self-reported health, health related behaviours, wellbeing, fatigue and surgical performance. Methods: A survey of validated themes on health-related behaviours, workplace variables and performance was distributed to surgical trainees and consultants in the UK and Ireland through the Association for Surgeons in Training (ASiT). Non-parametric analysis was used to determine inferential associations. Results: Ninety five surgeons (median age 35-44, 51.5 % female, 39.9% registrars) completed the survey. 94% reported having at least 'good' overall health. . A majority (54.7%) report inconsistent sleep patterns, while less than a quarter engage in regular exercise. 74% reported having at least 'good' overall mental and emotional well being. Sixty two and 64.2% reported being regularly fatigued and bothered by feelings of anxiety and/or depression respectively. Poor self-reported health and wellbeing were associated with poorer reported off-call performance (p\<.01). Higher levels of fatigue negatively impacted self-reported surgical and non-surgical task proficiency (p\<.01). Discussion and Conclusion: Surgeons reported high levels of overall health. However, healthy behaviours around sleep, diet and exercise were not consistently reported. Fatigue, anxiety and regular rumination were reported by greater than half of respondents. When compared to overall health numbers, 20% less surgeons reported overall mental health and emotional well-being that good or better. Self-reported health behaviours including sleep and physical activity were associated with surgical performance. Strategies to improve modifiable lifestyle factors, which will optimise physical health, mental wellbeing and levels of fatigue may optimise surgical performance. Further research should target these behaviours to elicit desired changes.

Conditions

Health Behavior

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Self-reported health and wellbeing [This was a survey which was designed and validated as part of the study]

  Likert scale: In general, how would you rate your overall health? In general, how would you rate your overall mental or emotional health? During the past 4 weeks, how disruptive were your physical health or emotional problems to your normal professional activities?

  June-August 2020

• Levels of Fatigue

  Likert Scale: In a typical week, how often do you feel fatigued at work? I manage work-related fatigue effectively.

  June-August 2020

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Sleep Outcomes

  June-August 2020

• Performance Outcomes

  June-August 2020

• Stress Outcomes

  June-August 2020

• Commuting Outcomes

  June-August 2020

• Physical Activity Outcomes

  June-August 2020

Study Arms (2)

TUH Staff

Staff within Tallaght University Hospital - anonymised

Other: No intervention is given

ASIT Members

Members of the Association of Surgeons in Training - anonymised

Other: No intervention is given

Interventions

No intervention is given OTHER

No intervention given

Also known as: No intervention given

ASIT Members; TUH Staff

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Trainees and consultant surgeons

You may qualify if:

• surgeon
• working in TUH or member of ASIT

You may not qualify if:

• non surgeon
• not a member of ASIT or TUH

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Dublin, Trinity College: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tallaght University Hospital

Dublin, XX - Other State/Province/Territory, 0000, Ireland

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Health Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• Dale F Whelehan, BSc

  University of Dublin, Trinity College

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 27, 2020
• First Posted: December 21, 2020
• Study Start: May 1, 2020
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2020
• Study Completion: October 1, 2020
• Last Updated: December 21, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IE (1)