Miscellaneous: Surgical Practice

Surgical Practice

Acceptable Procedures to Preform While Training

  • Procedures Familiar With
  • Emergent Setting
  • If Under Supervision

Career Changes

  • Average Number of Jobs/Positions Typical Surgeons Works During Their Career: 3

Seven Attributes of the Academic Surgeon

  • 1. Identifies Complex Clinical Problems Ignored or Thought Unsolvable by Others
  • 2. Becomes an Expert
  • 3. Innovates to Advance Treatment
  • 4. Observes Outcomes to Further Improve & Innovate
  • 5. Disseminates Knowledge & Expertise
  • 6. Asks Important Questions to Further Improve Care
  • 7. Trains the Next Generation of Surgeons & Scientists

Burnout & Depression

Burnout

  • Definition: Prolonged Response to Chronic Emotional & Interpersonal Stressors at Work
  • Three Dimensions:
    • Exhaustion – Overwhelming Exhaustion
    • Cynicism – Cynicism & Detachment/Depersonalization
    • Inefficiency – A Sense of Ineffectiveness & Lack of Accomplishment
  • Prevalence: 40-54%
  • Factors:
    • Work Hours/Call – Strongest Risk Factor Leading to Dissatisfaction
    • Age < 55 Years
    • Female Gender
    • Having Children < 21 Years Old
    • Increased Use of Electronic Medical Record/Documentation & Decreased Patient Care
  • Only 51% of Surgeons Would Recommend a Surgical Career to their Children

Depression

  • Rates During Medical School/Residency: 20-30%
  • Incidence Increases 4x in the First 4 Months of Intern Year

Suicide

  • 6% of Physicians Report Recent Suicidal Ideation
  • Risk of Suicide is 2x Higher Than the General Population
  • 300-400 Physicians Commit Suicide Annually (About One per Day)
  • Resident Suicide Increases in First & Third Quarters of the Academic Year
  • Double-Peak of Incidence:
    • Initial Peak: Residency/Fellowship Training
    • Second Peak: Late-Middle Age (Highest)
  • By Sex (Compared to General Population):
    • Males: 40% Higher
      • Overall Still Higher Than Females
    • Females: 130% Higher