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

NCT ID: NCT04677036

Last Updated: 2020-12-21

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-05-01

Study Completion Date

2020-10-01

Brief Summary

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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.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Health Behavior

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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TUH Staff

Staff within Tallaght University Hospital - anonymised

No intervention is given

Intervention Type OTHER

No intervention given

ASIT Members

Members of the Association of Surgeons in Training - anonymised

No intervention is given

Intervention Type OTHER

No intervention given

Interventions

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No intervention is given

No intervention given

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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No intervention given

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* surgeon
* working in TUH or member of ASIT

Exclusion Criteria

* non surgeon
* not a member of ASIT or TUH
Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of Dublin, Trinity College

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Dale Whelehan

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Dale F Whelehan, BSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Dublin, Trinity College

Locations

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Tallaght University Hospital

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

Site Status

Countries

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Ireland