Surgical performance anxiety among UK oral and maxillofacial surgeons

Abstract

This study of clinicians working in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) in the United Kingdom (UK) investigates the prevalence and character of surgical performance anxiety (SPA), a state of anxiety in response to negative evaluation by others concerning the performance of a surgical task. There is growing awareness of the impact of non-technical skills on patient outcomes with some research into SPA, but this is not OMFS-specific, and the understanding of performance anxiety in surgery falls behind comparable performance-driven professions. A prospective mixed-methods study was therefore conducted among UK OMFS clinicians using an electronic survey. Data captured included demographics, trait anxiety, wellbeing, trait perfectionism, and surgical perfectionism. A total of 79 responses were collected. The mean (range) age was 35.6 (24–68) years, and the mean (range) experience working in OMFS was 9.6 (0.25–43) years. Ninety per cent of respondents had experienced SPA during their career. Reduced SPA and trait perfectionism were linked to increased age and experience. Respondents experienced significantly lower wellbeing compared with population norms. The thematic analysis highlighted people and the working environment as triggers for SPA. Creating an open, blame-free environment was a frequently suggested support strategy. By acknowledging and addressing SPA, OMFS clinicians can potentially improve their performance and patient outcomes. Identifying people and the working environment as triggers and the recommendation to create an open, blame-free environment offer direction for further research.