1. Orthopaedic Surgeon Physiological Indicators of Strain as Measured by a Wearable Fitness Device
- Author
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Paul M. Werth, David S. Jevsevar, Ilda B. Molloy, and Ida Leah Gitajn
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Psychological intervention ,Pilot Projects ,Burnout ,Wearable Electronic Devices ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,Humans ,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine ,Prospective Studies ,Burnout, Professional ,Depression (differential diagnoses) ,Response rate (survey) ,030222 orthopedics ,business.industry ,Stressor ,Internship and Residency ,Orthopedic Surgeons ,030229 sport sciences ,Confidence interval ,Orthopedic surgery ,Cohort ,Physical therapy ,Surgery ,business - Abstract
INTRODUCTION Symptoms of stress, depression, and burnout are prevalent in medicine, adversely affecting physician performance. We investigated real-time measurements of physiological strain in orthopaedic resident and faculty surgeon volunteers and identified potential daily stressors. METHODS We performed a prospective blinded cohort pilot study in our academic orthopaedic department. Physicians used a wearable fitness device for 12 weeks to objectively measure heart rate variability (HRV), a documented parameter of overall well-being. Baseline burnout levels were assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire. Daily surveys inquiring on work responsibilities (clinic, operating room [OR], or "other") were correlated with physiological parameters of strain. Descriptive statistics and linear mixed effects modeling were used to evaluate bivariate relationships. RESULTS Of the 21 participating surgeons, 9 faculty and 12 residents, there was a response rate of 95.2% for the initial burnout survey. Daily surveys were completed for 63.8% (54.9 ± 22.3 days) of the total collection window, and surgeons wore the device for 83.2% of the study (71.6 ± 25.0 days). Residents trended toward lower personal accomplishment and greater psychological detachment on the Maslach Burnout Inventory, with 5 surgeons including 1 faculty surgeon (11.1%) and 4 resident surgeons (33.3%) found to have negatively trending HRV throughout the study period demonstrating higher physiological strain. Time in the OR led to increased next-day HRV (y-intercept = 47.39; B = 4.90; 95% confidence interval, 2.14-7.66; P < 0.001), indicative of lower physiological strain. An increase in device-reported sleep from a surgeon's baseline resulted in a significant increase in next-day HRV (y-intercept = 50.46; B = 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-1.17; P = 0.02). DISCUSSION Orthopaedic residents, more than faculty, had physiologic findings suggestive of burnout. Time in the OR and increased sleep improved physiological strain parameters. Real-time biometric measurements can identify those at risk of burnout and in need of well-being interventions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III.
- Published
- 2021