Non-technical Attributes and Surgical Experience: a Cross-sectional Study Comparing Communication Styles and Attitudes in Surgical Staff, Trainees and Applicants
Non-technical Attributes and Surgical Experience: a Cross-sectional Study Comparing Communication Styles and Attitudes in Surgical Staff, Trainees and Applicants
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.
Inclusion Criteria:
Participant is part of any of the following groups:
Participant is active at Ghent University Hospital or an affiliated training hospital.
No exclusion criteria apply to this study.