TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical pain and musculoskeletal discomfort in vascular surgeons
AU - SVS Wellness Task Force
AU - Wohlauer, Max
AU - Coleman, Dawn M.
AU - Sheahan, Malachi G.
AU - Meltzer, Andrew J.
AU - Halloran, Brian
AU - Hallbeck, Susan
AU - Money, Samuel R.
AU - Coleman, Dawn
AU - Sheahan, Mal
AU - Money, Samuel
AU - Bismuth, Jean
AU - Brown, Kellie
AU - Cassada, David
AU - Chandra, Venita
AU - Chawla, Amit
AU - Drudi, Laura
AU - Eidt, John
AU - Freischlag, Julie
AU - Glebova, Natalia
AU - Guidry, London
AU - Huber, Thomas
AU - Kalish, Jeffrey
AU - Mannoia, Kristyn
AU - Meltzer, Andrew
AU - Mitchell, Erica Leith
AU - Mondy, J. Sheppard
AU - Rigberg, David
AU - Sternbergh, W. Charles
AU - Summers, Kelli
AU - Veeraswamy, Ravi
AU - Velazquez-Ramirez, Gabriela
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Society for Vascular Surgery
PY - 2021/4
Y1 - 2021/4
N2 - Objective: Work-related pain and disability have been reported in the literature among surgeons. This national survey was designed to identify the prevalence and severity of these symptoms in vascular surgeons. Methods: A survey was emailed to the 2910 members of the Society for Vascular Surgery. Physical pain was evaluated based on body part, and type of vascular procedure performed using the Borg 0 to 10 pain scale. Wellness questions were also queried. Results: A total of 775 of Society for Vascular Surgery members responded, with a 26.6% response rate. Retirees were excluded from the study (n = 39). Among those actively working (n = 736), surgeons have been practicing surgery, on average, for 17.2 ± 11.6 years, with a mean age of 51.4 ± 10.9 years, and 83.6% are male. After a full day of open surgery, the majority of the responding vascular surgeons are in a moderately strong amount of pain (mean score, 4.4 ± 2.3). After a full day of endovascular procedures, most vascular surgeons are in a moderately strong amount of pain (mean score, 3.9 ± 2.4). Pain after open surgery is greatest in the neck, and after endovascular surgery pain is highest in the lower back. Surgeons performing endovenous procedures demonstrated the lowest pain scores (2.0 ± 2.0). In total, 36.9% (242/655, 81 missing responses) have sought medical care for work-related pain, with 8.3% (61/736) taking time away from the operating room. Of those, 26.2% (193/736) report pain severe enough that it interferes with sleep. Seventy-two (10%) required surgery or other significant medical procedures. Of the 39 retirees, 26% ended their careers owing to physical disabilities from work-related pain. Out of the entire cohort, 52.7% (334/633,103 missing responses) feel that physical discomfort will affect the longevity of their careers. Additionally, we found that high work-related physical discomfort is significantly associated with burnout (burnout vs no burnout; P < .0001). Conclusions: Our study shows that the majority of practicing vascular surgeons responding to the survey are in pain after a day of operating. Addressing work-related pain serves to improve the lives and careers of vascular surgeons and enhance surgical longevity.
AB - Objective: Work-related pain and disability have been reported in the literature among surgeons. This national survey was designed to identify the prevalence and severity of these symptoms in vascular surgeons. Methods: A survey was emailed to the 2910 members of the Society for Vascular Surgery. Physical pain was evaluated based on body part, and type of vascular procedure performed using the Borg 0 to 10 pain scale. Wellness questions were also queried. Results: A total of 775 of Society for Vascular Surgery members responded, with a 26.6% response rate. Retirees were excluded from the study (n = 39). Among those actively working (n = 736), surgeons have been practicing surgery, on average, for 17.2 ± 11.6 years, with a mean age of 51.4 ± 10.9 years, and 83.6% are male. After a full day of open surgery, the majority of the responding vascular surgeons are in a moderately strong amount of pain (mean score, 4.4 ± 2.3). After a full day of endovascular procedures, most vascular surgeons are in a moderately strong amount of pain (mean score, 3.9 ± 2.4). Pain after open surgery is greatest in the neck, and after endovascular surgery pain is highest in the lower back. Surgeons performing endovenous procedures demonstrated the lowest pain scores (2.0 ± 2.0). In total, 36.9% (242/655, 81 missing responses) have sought medical care for work-related pain, with 8.3% (61/736) taking time away from the operating room. Of those, 26.2% (193/736) report pain severe enough that it interferes with sleep. Seventy-two (10%) required surgery or other significant medical procedures. Of the 39 retirees, 26% ended their careers owing to physical disabilities from work-related pain. Out of the entire cohort, 52.7% (334/633,103 missing responses) feel that physical discomfort will affect the longevity of their careers. Additionally, we found that high work-related physical discomfort is significantly associated with burnout (burnout vs no burnout; P < .0001). Conclusions: Our study shows that the majority of practicing vascular surgeons responding to the survey are in pain after a day of operating. Addressing work-related pain serves to improve the lives and careers of vascular surgeons and enhance surgical longevity.
KW - Chronic pain
KW - Ergonomics
KW - Muscle fatigue
KW - Pain
KW - Surgery
KW - Vascular surgery
KW - Work-related pain
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.07.097
DO - 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.07.097
M3 - Article
C2 - 32890720
AN - SCOPUS:85098163344
SN - 0741-5214
VL - 73
SP - 1414
EP - 1421
JO - Journal of vascular surgery
JF - Journal of vascular surgery
IS - 4
ER -