U.K. Surgeons Report Being Negatively Affected by Adverse Events

by Linda Kossoff •

What is the impact of adverse events, such as medical errors and complications, on U.K. surgeons’ health and well-being?

BOTTOM LINE

Surgeons in the U.K. are affected negatively by adverse events but are ill-prepared to deal with them.

BACKGROUND: For surgeons, adverse events such as medical errors and complications can result in guilt, anxiety, reduced confidence, burnout, depression, suicidal ideation, and/or reduced quality of life. Although the literature on adverse events typically groups doctors together, some aspects of medical practice are unique to, or are predominant aspects of, surgery.

COMMENT: We are aware of our own and our team members’ responses to adverse surgical outcomes and events. This article looks at those reactions and subsequent effects on surgeon/team decisions and performance. —Sujana Chandrasekhar, MD

STUDY DESIGN: Online survey.

SETTING: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, U.K.

SYNOPSIS: Participants in an online survey on adverse events were asked to recall a recent surgical event consistent with complication or error, depending upon the survey version they had been randomly assigned. Survey items addressed participants’ event experience, including its impact on their health and well-being. A total of 445 surgeons (315 male, median age 47 years) working across different grades, specialties, and settings, completed the survey. Reported impacts from the recalled event included increased anxiety (48.3%), sleep problems (42.5%), anger or irritability (32.1%), increased depression (11.7%), and increased alcohol consumption (10.6%). The impact of the event on physical health was generally low. The error group was more likely to experience anxiety and sleep problems. Only 2.7% indicated having accessed a support service following the event. When controlling for event severity, preparedness scores differed depending on whether the event was due to an error or a complication, with lower scores in the error group. Participants felt ill-prepared by their training for the impact of adverse events. Study limitations included its retrospective nature.

CITATION: Turner K, Bolderston H, Thomas K, et al. Impact of adverse events on surgeons. Br J Surg. 2022;109:308-310.