Impact of adverse events on surgeons.

Abstract

Surgeons are affected negatively when things go wrong. They may experience guilt, anxiety and reduced confidence following adverse events1–4, which may lead to formal investigation and sanction. Medical errors have been linked with burnout, depression, suicidal ideation and reduced quality of life3,5. The literature has typically grouped adverse events together and viewed doctors as one group2,6. This may be problematic because doctors might be affected differently by errors and complications. Whilst errors are preventable events arising from shortfalls in the standard of care expected7, complications are an acknowledged risk of surgical care8,9. Some aspects of medical practice are unique to, or predominant aspects of, surgery (for example rapid decision-making), highlighting the importance of focusing on the impact of adverse events on surgeons. This research explores the impact of adverse events on UK surgeons’ health and wellbeing. Surgeons completed an online survey that involved recalling an error-based or complication-based event and answering questions regarding health, wellbeing and support seeking. Given that impaired wellbeing is associated with surgeons making errors10, it was hypothesized that the impact on health and wellbeing would be greater for errors compared with that for complications.