Addressing Surgeon Fatigue: Current Understanding and Strategies for Mitigation

Abstract

Fatigue is inevitable at all stages of a surgical career. The sustained high degree of concentration required for surgery is complicated by long surgeon working hours and sleep deprivation, which force surgeons to learn to manage and mitigate the effects of physical and mental fatigue on their performance. Extensive evidence exists detailing the potentially dangerous effects of surgeon fatigue on patient safety, but few reports exist offering a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the effects of fatigue on clinical performance. To promote improved detection and mitigation of fatigue among surgeons, the authors have highlighted several deliberate fatigue-management techniques that they have found to be particularly effective in their own experiences. These techniques include proper planning to maximize team efficiency, and the use of scheduled and unscheduled intraoperative breaks for mental and physical rest and regeneration. The decision to take a much-needed break is often neglected because of concerns about prolonging the duration of an operation; with proper self-awareness of fatigue and brief mental checks during natural intraoperative slowdowns, however, the surgeon can quickly assess the need for a much-needed moment of recovery. The authors hope surgeons will find the fatigue-mitigation strategies presented here to be helpful in promoting both their own wellness and the safety and wellness of their patients.