Oct 21 2024 45 mins
In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Drs. Andreas Obermair and Rachel Collings to discuss the impact of surgical complications on surgeons. Dr Obermair is an Australian-based gynaecological oncologist, researcher and leader of innovation. He is the PI of numerous investigator-initiated clinical trials and is never tired of finding more effective and less harmful ways to treat patients diagnosed with gynaecological cancer. Dr Rachel Collings is a gynaecologist and fertility specialist working in private practice in Toowoomba, Australia. She has a particular interest gynaecological surgery and doctor wellbeing.
Highlights:
- While patients are primarily affected by complications, surgeons are second victims when complications develop. Second victim refers to a clinician who experiences emotional trauma when complications develop.
- Second victims may feel shame, guilt, sadness and a crisis of confidence. In addition, second victims may develop problems with sleep, or develop musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Second victim syndrome is more likely if complications are severe, caused by a perceived mistake, or if the surgeon is concerned that it may attract criticism from colleagues.
- 89% of respondents reported having impacts on their sleep when they are involved in a surgical complication.
- Younger age, fewer years in practice, and female respondents had higher impacts of stress related to complications.
- Female surgeons reported higher levels of physical and mental health impacts and higher levels of impact on sleep compared with male surgeons.