Discordance of Perceptions and Experiences of Trauma Surgeons and Their Families

Abstract

Background: It is unclear how a career in trauma affects a surgeon and their family in terms of the structure of home life, perception of risk, and mental health. While there are studies investigating the effect of working parents and the child development, there are no studies examining the impact upon partners and children of trauma surgeons.

Study design: A survey was sent to members of the Western Trauma Association (n=339) surgeons (SUR) about their relationships, managing their household, childcare, and job stressors. Surveys for their partners (PART) and children (CHILD) were similar; additional questions examined their perceptions and feelings of their partners'/parents' career.

Results: 133 SUR (39%), 38 PART and 55 CHILD completed the survey. 73.1% and 51.9% SUR agree/strongly agree their career is a source of stress for their PART and CHILD, respectively. A majority, 92.1%, PART are supportive of SURG career but 31.6% PART worry about their SURG mental health most/all the time. There is discordance in the perception of the sharing of household duties between SURG and PART with 56.8% SURG reporting PART does more than half of the household work but 81.6% PART report doing more than half the work (p=0.004).

Conclusion: The PART and CHILD of trauma surgeons report stress related to their partners'/parents' career. There is discordance in perception of the balance of household duties between SURG and PART. This survey demonstrates that increased attention to the experience of the PART and CHILD of trauma surgeons is warranted.