This study consists of an analysis of the communication styles and attitudes towards risk and uncertainty (i.e. non-technical attributes) in a surgical population with varying clinical experience. The study aims to investigate the differences and specific patterns in non-technical attributes that may be discerned in these groups and how these non technical attributes develop throughout surgical training.
This study evaluated the communication styles and attitudes towards risk and uncertainty in a population of surgical candidates (pre- and postgraduates), surgical trainees and surgical staff members, from the specialties of general surgery, orthopedics, urology and plastic surgery. After signing informed consent, participants complete an on-line questionnaire, which contains a set of validated tools. Initially, a cross-sectional analysis of the non-technical attributes will be conducted, to identify any patters, similarities or differences between participant groups. The study hypothesis is that significant differences can be observed in participant attributes, which relate to their clinical experience. Additionally, surgical candidates who agree to participate in this study and are accepted for a surgical training in either general surgery, orthopaedics, urology or plastic surgery, will be invited to repeat the questionnaire at a 2-year interval, to investigate the evolution of their non-technical attributes throughout their training and to identify general patterns.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
120
Participant communication styles
Communication Styles Inventory-96 scale:Subdomains: Expressiveness (range: 1-5); Preciseness (range: 1-5); Verbal aggressiveness (range: 1-5); Questioningness (range: 1-5); Emotionality (range: 1-5); Impression manipulativeness (range: 1-5)
Time frame: Rating scale is completed by all groups on study inclusion, after signing informed consent.
Participant attitudes towards uncertainty
Physicians' Reactions to Uncertainty (PRU) scale: Anxiety due to uncertainty (Range: 5-30 ); Concern about bad outcomes (3-18); Reluctance to disclose uncertainty to patients (Range: 5-30); Reluctance to disclose mistakes to physicians (Range 2-12)
Time frame: Rating scale is completed by all groups on study inclusion, after signing informed consent. For the candidate group, this measure is repeated on a selection day during the surgical selection process, +- 1 - 2 months after study inclusion
Participant attitudes towards taking risks
Physicians' risk attitude (PRA) Scale (Range: 2-12)
Time frame: Rating scale is completed by all groups on study inclusion, after signing informed consent. For the candidate group, this measure is repeated on a selection day during the surgical selection process, +- 1 - 2 months after study inclusion
Participant perceived actual health status
Short Form-36 scale (Range: 10-50)
Time frame: Rating scale is completed by all groups on study inclusion, after signing informed consent.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.