Search

Past research indicates that patient perceptions of surgeon warmth and competence influence treatment expectancies and satisfaction with treatment outcomes. Stereotypes have a powerful impact on impression formation. The present research explores stereotypes about surgeon warmth and competence and investigates the extent to which surgeon gender influences perceptions of female and male surgeons. A between-subjects experiment was conducted online using crowdsourcing technology to derive a representative sample from the general population. Four hundred and fifteen participants were randomly assigned to evaluate the warmth and competence of males, females, surgeons, male surgeons, or female surgeons, using validated measures. Planned contrasts revealed that as a group, surgeons received higher warmth and competence ratings than non-surgeons (p = .007). Consistent with gender stereotypes, female surgeons received higher warmth ratings (p < .001) and lower competence ratings (p = .001) than male surgeons. The stereotype of surgeons held by the general public is that they are high in warmth and competence relative to other occupational groups. Surgeon gender appears to influence general beliefs about the warmth and competence of female and male surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knee replacement is a common preference sensitive quality-of-life procedure that can reduce pain and improve function for people with advanced knee arthritis. While most patients improve, knee replacement surgery has the potential for serious complications. Prosthetic knee infection is an uncommon but serious complication. This study explored the impact of cases of prosthetic knee infection on surgeons’ personal and professional wellbeing. Qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with consultant orthopaedic surgeons who treated patients for prosthetic knee infection in one of six high-volume NHS orthopaedic departments. Data was audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Eleven surgeons took part. Analysis identified three overarching themes: (i) At some point infection is inevitable but surgeons still feel accountable; (ii) A profound emotional impact and (iii) Supporting each other. The occurrence of prosthetic joint infection has a significant emotional impact on surgeons who report a collective sense of devastation and personal ownership, even though prosthetic joint infection cannot be fully controlled for. Surgeons stressed the importance of openly discussing the management of prosthetic joint infection with a supportive multidisciplinary team and this has implications for the ways in which orthopaedic surgeons may be best supported to manage this complication. This article also acknowledges that surgeons are not alone in experiencing personal impact when patients have infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The advice given to patients in the Netherlands regarding sport activities after total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) is currently based on the opinion of the individual orthopaedic surgeon. Aim: To give an overview of the sport advice given by Dutch orthopaedic surgeons and to examine whether surgeons are familiar with the Dutch health-enhancing physical activity (PA) recommendations (NNGB). Methods: 472 surgeons were selected to fill in a questionnaire regarding 40 sport activities for four patient age groups (in years): 1) THA<65, 2) THA>65, 3) TKA<65 4) TKA>65. Surgeons were also asked if they discuss the role of PA postoperatively and about their knowledge and application of the NNGB. Results: There was consensus on 29 sport activities for the THA<65 group and 30 activities for the THA>65 group. In the TKA<65 group there was consensus for 33 sports activities and in the TKA>65 group for 32 activities. Amongst orthopaedic surgeons performing THAs and TKAs, respectively 77% and 79% discussed the role of PA postoperatively with their patients, and a total of 34% and 41% were familiar with the NNGB, with 33% and 34% of them giving NNGB-based advice. Conclusion: Results can be used to recommend sport activities after THA/TKA. Although the majority of orthopaedic surgeons discuss the role of PA postoperatively with their patients, familiarity with health-enhancing PA recommendations is lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than half of physicians in Poland are over 50 years old. This raises concerns about the risk of lack of continuity of health care services due to the generational gap, particularly marked among interventional specialties. The physical and mental burden of general surgery affects those doctors in particular. The aim of the study is to assess whether the type of the profession pursued influences the average lifetime of a physician in Poland and the impact of the surgeon's occupation on life expectancy compared to the rest of the population according to gender. Demographic data was obtained from official publications of the Central Statistical Office. Data on 189,459 physicians in Poland were obtained from the Central Register of Doctors. A total of 6,496 physicians and dentists deaths in the period from January 1st, 2010 to June 30th, 2014, including 722 surgeons, were analyzed. In general, both male physicians and dentists died at an older age than the mean population (74.9 years and 74.7 years vs. 68.9 years; p <0.05). Among women, only dentists lived longer (78.5 years) p <0.05), while women physicians died at a younger age than the average in the general population (76.4 vs. 77.2 years; p <0.05). The average lifetime of both male and female surgeons was 74.2 and 77.5 years, respectively. The average life expectancy of people aged 25 years with college/university education is 80.3 years for men and 86.6 years for women. Male surgeons live significantly longer than the average life expectancy in the general population of men. The average length of life of women surgeons is significantly lower than the average lifespan of women in the general population. The actual lifetime of surgeons in Poland is significantly lower than the expected average life expectancy for other people aged 25 with tertiary education. The average lifespan of surgeons in Poland does not differ significantly from the average life expectancy of other Polish physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with surgeon John Kadzielski, is presented. When asked on how did he become intereste in the topics of the attitudes of surgeons, Kadzielski mentions that he is an active private pilot and has a degree in psychology. Kadzielski discusses the surveys conducted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on pilot practice. The author also discusses the education that should be possessed by resident physicians.

The article presents a profile of C. Everett Koop, a surgeon general. Particular attention is given to Koop's professional achievements, his career, as well as his role as a pioneer of pediatric surgery. The author reports that Koop single-handedly motivated thousands to quit smoking and saw to it that an AIDS education brochure arrived in every American mailbox at a time when the disease was misunderstood. Article topics include Koop's work in the public health field, a review of his personal life and career, as well as his experiences as a doctor. Commentary by Koop's coworkers and friends are also provided.

The article discusses the professional attributes that every surgeon should possess. Topics covered include the traditional paternalistic approach that views surgeons to be unchallenged and untouchable health care leader. Also mentioned is the need for surgical professionals to be able to raise and respond to patient concerns.

Looks at the sentinel node biopsy which is being used for staging breast cancer despite the fact that clinical trials to test its validity are still years from completion. Reasons for the procedures popularity; Accuracy studies in hospitals which find the predictability acceptable; Question if surgeons should wait for the results of the full trials; Comments from experts on the doctor's decisions to go with this method; Lack of long-term survival data; Importance of the experience of the surgical team in performing the procedure.

Recalls the author's experiences as a third-year medical student. Anticipation about his first surgical case; How the surgery was a wonder of physiology; His emotions after the surgery; How he thinks the blue drapes which protects the patient from infection provides the physician aequanimitas, the insensibility and objectivity in the face of difficult or painful procedures.