Impact of surgical complications on the operating surgeon

Abstract

Aim: The involvement of surgeons in major adverse outcomes can have a negative impact on their personal and professional lives, as well as on patient outcomes. Healthcare professionals involved in such incidents have been referred to as ‘second victims’. We designed an online survey to study the impact of operative complications on surgeons’ professional and personal lives. Method: An online survey of general, gastrointestinal, hepato-pancreato-biliary and vascular surgeons was conducted using the Twitter feed of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland and the European Society of Coloproctology over an 8-week period. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 82 participants. Ninety-one per cent of respondents were consultant surgeons, 37% with more than 15 years’ experience. Eighty-three per cent were colorectal surgeons. The majority of surgeons (95%) reported that their practice had been affected as a result of serious complications and 54% suggested that it had had a negative impact on their family life. Fifty-five per cent of respondents mentioned lack of support in their institution for healthcare professionals involved in adverse outcomes and an existing blame culture. Suggestions for improvement included mentoring (41%), counselling (38%), openness (66%), peer support groups (52%) and human factors training (32%). Conclusion: This survey highlights that the majority of surgeons involved in serious complications are adversely affected. Those involved in the running of surgical services need to improve support for surgeons in the aftermath of such events.