Surgical Complications: Impact on Surgeon with Drs. Andreas Obermair and Rachel Collings

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 89% of respondents reported having impacts on their sleep when they are involved in a surgical complication.
5. Younger age, fewer years in practice, and female respondents had higher impacts of stress related to complications.
6. Female surgeons reported higher levels of physical and mental health impacts and higher levels of impact on sleep compared with male surgeons.