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Fuchs KF, Kerwagen F, Kunz AS, Schulze A, Ullrich M, Ertl M, Gilbert F. [Optimizing radiological diagnostic management via mobile devices in trauma surgery]. UNFALLCHIRURGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 127:374-380. [PMID: 38300253 PMCID: PMC11058621 DOI: 10.1007/s00113-024-01410-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Time is a scarce resource for physicians. One medical task is the request for radiological diagnostics. This process is characterized by high administrative complexity and sometimes considerable time consumption. Measures that lead to an administrative relief in favor of patient care have so far been lacking. AIM OF THE STUDY Process optimization of the request for radiological diagnostics. As a proof of concept the request for radiological diagnostics was conducted using a mobile, smartphone and tablet-based application with dedicated voice recognition software in the Department of Trauma Surgery at the University Hospital of Würzburg (UKW). MATERIAL AND METHODS In a prospective study, time differences and efficiency of the mobile app-based method (ukw.mobile based Application = UMBA) compared to the PC-based method (PC-based application = PCBA) for requesting radiological services were analyzed. The time from the indications to the completed request and the time required to create the request on the device were documented and assessed. Due to the non-normal distribution of the data, a Mann-Whitney U test was performed. RESULTS The time from the indications to the completed request was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced using UMBA compared to PCBA (PCBA: mean ± standard difference [SD] 19.57 ± 33.24 min, median 3.00 min, interquartile range [IQR] 1.00-30.00 min vs. UMBA: 9.33 ± 13.94 min, median 1.00 min, IQR 0.00-20.00 min). The time to complete the request on the device was also significantly reduced using UMBA (PCBA: mean ± SD 63.77 ± 37.98 s, median 51.96 s, IQR 41.68-68.93 s vs. UMBA: 25.21 ± 11.18 s, median 20.00 s, IQR 17.27-29.00 s). CONCLUSION The mobile, voice-assisted request process leads to a considerable time reduction in daily clinical routine and illustrates the potential of user-oriented, targeted digitalization in healthcare. In future, the process will be supported by artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad F Fuchs
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Unfall‑, Hand‑, Plastische und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland.
- Digitalisierungszentrum Präzisions- und Telemedizin, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland.
| | - Fabian Kerwagen
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
- Digitalisierungszentrum Präzisions- und Telemedizin, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Andreas S Kunz
- Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
- Digitalisierungszentrum Präzisions- und Telemedizin, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Andrés Schulze
- Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
- Digitalisierungszentrum Präzisions- und Telemedizin, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Melanie Ullrich
- Digitalisierungszentrum Präzisions- und Telemedizin, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Maximilian Ertl
- Digitalisierungszentrum Präzisions- und Telemedizin, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Fabian Gilbert
- Digitalisierungszentrum Präzisions- und Telemedizin, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
- LMU Klinikum Großhadern, Muskuloskelettales Universitätszentrum München, München, Deutschland
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Thielmann B, Meyer F, Böckelmann I. [Against the mental stress-Resilient work in surgery]. CHIRURGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 95:135-147. [PMID: 37987763 PMCID: PMC10834595 DOI: 10.1007/s00104-023-01977-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgery represents a challenging medical discipline. AIM This article focuses on psychological stress in surgery and explains resilience as a protective factor against the consequences of psychological stress, based on selected literature references and own relevant clinical experiences. In this context, the sense of coherence, social support and self-efficacy expectation are discussed in more detail as resilience factors. METHOD Narrative review. RESULTS (CORNER POINTS) Surgery is classified as a challenging medical subspecialty with a high reputation but associated with diverse and varied physical and psychological stress factors. Stress factors differ individually in terms of requirements (can be overdemanding or underdemanding but also stimulating, relevant to learning and meaningful, thus positively or negatively stressful) and resources (potentially beneficial working conditions, experience, or behavior, e.g., social support, scope for action). Fluctuations within surgical specialties and a high dropout rate during residency training are well known and the causes include high psychological stress. In the case of persistent and at the same time insufficient compensation of work stress caused by a lack of or insufficient resources, these can be associated with mental illnesses. Nonetheless, many physicians spend their entire lives working in hospital or private surgical settings and remain healthy, a strong sense of resilience to mental illness may be fundamental to this. Resilience can be present as a personal characteristic or it can be learnt through a process or adapted through positive or negative influences, thus strengthening the personal characteristics. Overall, data on surgeon resilience or interventional studies in resilience research in the surgical setting are limited and provide another research gap. Resilience training (directed at a sense of coherence, social support, strengthening knowledge of coping skills, positive emotions, optimism, hope, self-efficacy expectations, control beliefs or robustness), also clearly indicated in the "robust" medical specialty of surgery, is always individual and should not be generalized. If the surgeon cannot retrieve sufficient resources due to the stressful situation, stress management with its methods is helpful to reduce the psychological stress and to be able to maintain the performance and health of this person. CONCLUSION The consolidation of resilience as a notable aspect of employee management. In collegial interactions, resilience must be based on workplace-based approaches to strengthen coping mechanisms in the face of work stress. Workplace-related stress should also be perceived, addressed and counteracted within the organization, certainly also as an elementary management task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Thielmann
- Bereich Arbeitsmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Deutschland
| | - Frank Meyer
- Universitätsklinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Gefäß- und Transplantationschirurgie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg mit Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg A. ö. R., Magdeburg, Deutschland.
| | - Irina Böckelmann
- Bereich Arbeitsmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Deutschland
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Tell A, Westenhöfer J, Harth V, Mache S. Stressors, Resources, and Strain Associated with Digitization Processes of Medical Staff Working in Neurosurgical and Vascular Surgical Hospital Wards: A Multimethod Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:1988. [PMID: 37510429 PMCID: PMC10379129 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11141988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The digitization of German hospitals is proceeding continuously, leading to the implementation of new digital technologies, such as electronic health records (EHRs) or other technologies, used for the purpose of medical documentation tasks. Even though the replacement of paper documentation through digitized documentation in general promises to come along with plenty of benefits, the daily utilization of technologies might also lead to stresses and strains among the medical staff, eventually possibly leading to the development of different negative work and health-related outcomes. This study, therefore, aims at identifying persisting digitization-associated stressors and resources among medical hospital staff, examining their influences on different work and health-related outcomes, and finally, identifying potential needs for preventive measures. A quantitative study in the form of an online questionnaire survey was conducted among physicians working in the medical field of neuro- and vascular surgery in German hospitals. The study was carried out between June and October 2022 utilizing an online questionnaire based on several standardized scales, such as the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the technostress model, as well as on several scales from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ). The study found medium levels of technostress among the participating physicians (n = 114), as well as low to medium levels of persisting resources. The queried physicians, on average, reported low levels of burnout symptoms, generally described their health status as good, and were mostly satisfied with their job. Despite the prevalence of technostress and the low levels of resources among the surveyed physicians, there is little awareness of the problem of digital stress, and preventive measures have not been widely implemented yet in the clinics, indicating a needs gap and the necessity for the strategic and quality-guided implementation of measures to effectively prevent digital stress from developing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Tell
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstraße 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Westenhöfer
- Department Health Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences (HAW), Ulmenliet 20, 21033 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Volker Harth
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstraße 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Mache
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstraße 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany
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Japundžić I, Lugović-Mihić L, Košćec Bjelajac A, Macan J, Novak-Hlebar I, Buljan M, Zovak M, Vidović D, Trkanjec Z, Kuna M. Psychological Stress and Hand Eczema in Physicians and Dentists: A Comparison Based on Surgical Work. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:bs13050379. [PMID: 37232616 DOI: 10.3390/bs13050379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This research looks at the connection between psychological stress and the prevalence of hand eczema (HE) among physicians and dentists (surgeons, non-surgeons). METHODS This cross-sectional field study involved 185 participants: physicians (surgeons, non-surgeons), dentists (surgeons, non-surgeons) and controls. Hand lesions were examined using the Osnabrueck Hand Eczema Severity Index (OHSI), and participants answered the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Patch tests were performed using commercial contact allergens. RESULTS The estimated prevalence of HE (self-reported) was 43.9% (physicians 44.6%; dentists 43.2%). HE was significantly more reported by surgeons than controls (p < 0.004; V = 0.288). Degrees of perceived stress (PSS) did not differ significantly between the groups, though physicians non-surgeons most exhibited high stress (50%), and physicians surgeons most exhibited low stress (22.5%). High stress was associated with 2.5 higher odds for self-reported HE (p = 0.008). Low stress was greater among physicians/dentists who did not report eczema (41.0% vs. 24.6%); moderate stress was more common among those who reported eczema (72.3% vs. 51.8%; p = 0.038; V = 0.210). CONCLUSIONS Since high stress levels may negatively influence physicians'/dentists' work and quality of life, measures to decrease stress could be introduced into the treatment of healthcare workers who are prone to it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Japundžić
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Liborija Lugović-Mihić
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Adrijana Košćec Bjelajac
- Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jelena Macan
- Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ina Novak-Hlebar
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marija Buljan
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mario Zovak
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Traumatology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dinko Vidović
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Traumatology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zlatko Trkanjec
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Neurology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matea Kuna
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Darius S, Heinemann F, Meyer F, Boeckelmann I. [Working in the Operating Theatre - What does the Surgeon Need to Know About Occupational Medicine?]. Zentralbl Chir 2023; 148:33-42. [PMID: 34872135 DOI: 10.1055/a-1657-0451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Surgery is associated with numerous health hazards for the staff.The aim of this article is to show the risks to the health and ability to work of surgical staff and the possibilities for improving occupational health and safety in terms of behavioural and situational prevention, as well as secondary and tertiary prevention, especially with regard to cooperation with the occupational physician.The brief narrative overview is based on the author's own occupational medicine, surgery and interdisciplinary experience from daily practice and selective references from the current medical-scientific literature, using the example of the operating theatre work area.The possible activity-related health hazards and the risks to the working ability of medical staff as well as the possibilities for occupational health and safety in the sense of behavioural and situational prevention are an important matter in the interdisciplinary status of surgery that should not be underestimated (since it is also partly determined by law). Above all, this discipline must responsibly dedicate itself to the points of contact with occupational medicine (in addition to acquiring its own knowledge from the surgical side).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Darius
- Bereich Arbeitsmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Deutschland
| | - Franziska Heinemann
- Bereich Arbeitsmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Deutschland
| | - Frank Meyer
- Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Gefäßchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Deutschland
| | - Irina Boeckelmann
- Bereich Arbeitsmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Deutschland
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Naviaux AF, Barbier L, Chopinet S, Janne P, Gourdin M. Ways of preventing surgeon burnout. J Visc Surg 2023; 160:33-38. [PMID: 36257890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
In surgical practice, numerous sources of stress (stressors) are unpredictable, two examples being daily workload and postoperative complications. They may help to explain surgeon burnout, of which the prevalence (34 to 53%) has been the subject of many studies. That said, even though assessments are legion, recommended solutions have been few and far between, especially insofar as by nature and training, surgeons are disinclined to interest themselves in burnout, which they are prone to consider as something experienced by "others". The objective of this attempt at clarification is to identify in the literature the strategies put forward in view of avoiding surgeon burnout, and to assess the impact of this phenomenon not only on the surgeon's professional and personal entourage, but also on patient safety. Prevention-based strategies, many of them focused on modifiable stressors, will be detailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-F Naviaux
- College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, Health Service Executive (HSE) Summerhill Community Mental Health Service, W35 KC58 Summer Hill, Wexford, Ireland; CHU UCL Namur, Catholic University of Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - L Barbier
- Liver Transplant and HPB surgery, Auckland City Hospital, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - S Chopinet
- Liver and Pancreatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation, La Timone Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - P Janne
- CHU UCL Namur, Catholic University of Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium; Faculty of Psychology, Catholic University of Louvain, place Cardinal Mercier, 10, 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| | - M Gourdin
- CHU UCL Namur, Catholic University of Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium; Department of Anesthesiology, CHU UCL Namur, Catholic University of Louvain, B5530 Yvoir, Belgium
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Does speed equal quality? Time pressure impairs minimally invasive surgical skills in a prospective crossover trial. Int J Surg 2022; 104:106813. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2022.106813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Guglielmetti LC, Gingert C, Holtz A, Westkämper R, Lange J, Adamina M. Nationwide Study on Stress Perception Among Surgical Residents. World J Surg 2022; 46:1609-1622. [PMID: 35304643 PMCID: PMC9174298 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-022-06521-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Declining number of applicants and high attrition of residents are a dire reality. Surgeons in training are confronted to various stressors which interfere with their performance and may promote burnout. This study measures stress levels of Swiss surgical residents. METHODS Swiss surgery residents taking the Surgical Basic Exam from 2016 to 2020 completed the Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS). The PSS measures how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded the respondents evaluate their work life. Scores up to 13 are normal, and scores around 20 are highly pathologic. High subscores of helplessness (PH) and lower subscores of self-efficacy (PSE) indicate distress. RESULTS A total of 1694 questionnaires were evaluated (return rate 95.7%). Resident median (m) age was 29 years, 43.5% were female, and 72.7% of the residents were in their first 2 years of training. Residents reported a high PSS (m = 15), a high PH (m = 9), and an ordinary PSE (m = 5). Females reported worse PSS (p < 0.001), PH (p < 0.001), and PSE (p = 0.036). In multivariable analysis, male sex (p < 0.001), aiming at orthopedic (p = 0.017) or visceral surgery (p = 0.004), and French as mother tongue (p = 0.037) predicted lower stress levels, while graduating from a country not adjacent to Switzerland led to higher stress (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION Perceived stress levels are high in this prospective and representative cohort study of Swiss surgical residents. Females endured significantly worse stress and helplessness levels than males. These figures are worrisome as they may directly contribute to the declining attractivity of surgical residencies. Detailed sex-specific analysis and correction of stressors are urgently needed to improve residency programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Gingert
- Department of Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland
- Faculty of Health, Department of Human Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
| | - Anna Holtz
- Joint Private Practice for Orthopaedics, Traumatology & Surgery, Anna Und Nico Holtz, Kölnerstrasse 64, 42897, Remscheid, Germany
| | | | | | - Michel Adamina
- Department of Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland.
- MGA Network, Herisau, Switzerland.
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Evaluation of Stress Levels of Trainee Cardiac Surgery Residents during Training Interventions Using Physiological Stress Parameters. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182211953. [PMID: 34831709 PMCID: PMC8625758 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182211953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: This study analysed the psychological and psycho-emotional stress in cardiac surgery. Using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, it is possible to record intraoperative objective stress responses in surgeons. The aim of the study was to assess with the help of HRV parameters the postulated increased stress levels of cardiac surgeons in training compared to experienced senior cardiothoracic surgeons in exactly the same work situation in order to make qualification-differentiated statements about physiological stress during surgical interventions. Methods: During surgical teaching procedures, long-term ECG data (n = 15 each) for two operating residents and their assisting senior physicians were recorded. Time and frequency domain HRV parameters were analysed. Results: The time-related parasympathetic-dominated HRV parameters RMSSD (19.5 ms vs. 28.1 ms), NN50 (297.67 vs. 693.40), and cardiac interval mean RR (692.8 ms vs. 737.3 ms) indicate a higher stress level in the operating residents compared to the experienced surgeons. The higher stress index (11.61 vs. 8.86) confirms this. Conclusion: Compared to experienced surgeons, operating residents showed lower parasympathetic activity and higher stress levels during cardiac surgery training procedures.
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Hoffmann J, Kersting C, Weltermann B. Practice assistants´ perceived mental workload: A cross-sectional study with 550 German participants addressing work content, stressors, resources, and organizational structure. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240052. [PMID: 33002064 PMCID: PMC7529273 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Practice assistants represent a highly relevant occupational group in Germany and one of the most popular training professions in Germany. Despite this, most research in the health care sector has focused on secondary care settings, but has not addressed practice assistants in primary care. Knowledge about practice assistants’ workplace-related stressors and resources is particularly scarce. This cross-sectional study addresses the mental workload of practice assistants working in primary care practices. Methods Practice assistants from a network of 185 German primary care practices were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. The standardized `Short Questionnaire for Workplace Analysis’ (German: Kurzfragebogen zur Arbeitsanalyse) was used to assess practice assistants´ mental workload. It addresses eleven workplace factors in 26 items: versatility, completeness of task, scope of action, social support, cooperation, qualitative work demands, quantitative work demands, work disruptions, workplace environment, information and participation, and benefits. Sociodemographic and work characteristics were also obtained. A descriptive analysis was performed for sociodemographic data and “Short Questionnaire for Workplace Analysis” factors. The one-sided t-test and Cohen´s d were calculated for a comparison with data from 23 professional groups (n = 8,121). Results A total of 550 practice assistants from 130 practices participated. The majority of practice assistants was female (99.3%) and worked full-time (66.5%) in group practices (50.6%). Compared to the other professional groups, practice assistants reported higher values for the factor social support (4.0 versus 3.7 [d 0.44; p<0.001]), information and participation (3.6 versus 3.3 [d 0.38; p<0.001] as well as work disruptions (2.7 vs. 2.4 [d 0.42; p<0.001]), while practice assistants showed lower values regarding scope of action (3.4 versus 3.8 [d 0.43; p<0.001]). Conclusions Our study identified social support and participation within primary care practices as protective factors for mental workload, while work disruptions and scope of action were perceived as stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Hoffmann
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Christine Kersting
- Institute for General Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Birgitta Weltermann
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Dralle H, Herrmann P. [Julius Springer Prize for Surgery 2020]. Chirurg 2020; 91:481-482. [PMID: 32347314 DOI: 10.1007/s00104-020-01181-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H Dralle
- Klinik für Allgemein‑, Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Sektion Endokrine Chirurgie, Medizinisches Zentrum, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.
| | - P Herrmann
- Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, Heidelberg, Deutschland
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