Quantifying the lumbar spine movements of surgeons during surgical lists in a teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common occupational musculoskeletal complaint among health professionals. No research has quantified lumbar movement patterns in the surgical workplace, identifying 'at risk' behaviours with objective measures. This project aimed to identify lumbar movement patterns and change in LBP of surgeons and surgical trainees during a surgical list. METHODS: Surgeons or surgical trainees were recruited in a tertiary metropolitan hospital. Low back movements were quantified in real time via a monitoring system. This measured three-dimensional movement, velocity, acceleration and orientation to gravity during a typical theatre session. Pre- and post-surgery LBP, or low back injury measures of functional disability were quantified using the Oswestry disability index. Mean (standard deviation) and median (interquartile range) low back movement patterns were described. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test determined differences in LBP recorded from beginning to end of recording periods. RESULTS: Participants (n = 28) recorded data for a mean (standard deviation) of 6.1 (2.2) h. On average, 27.7 lumbar flexion events were recorded per monitoring session, with flexion movements held for >30 s an average of 5.6 times. Many of the flexion events were considered low range (between 20° and 40°) with an average of 19.1 events per session. Orthopaedic trainees recorded the highest average of lumbar and sustained lumbar flexions per hour (4.13 times). LBP significantly increased over the work day (z = -2.53, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: This study provides a base for the understanding of low back movement patterns during surgery. This data may be useful in helping surgeons to identify their 'high risk' movements and prevent low back symptoms.

Why do surgeons receive more complaints than their physician peers?

BACKGROUND: Compared with other doctors, surgeons are at an increased risk of medicolegal events, including patient complaints and negligence claims. This retrospective study aimed to describe the frequency and nature of complaints involving surgeons compared with physicians. METHODS: We assembled a national data set of complaints about surgeons and physicians lodged with medical regulators in Australia from 2011 to 2016. We classified the complaints into 19 issues across four domains: treatment and procedures, other performance, professional conduct and health. We assessed differences in complaint risk using incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Finally, we used a multivariate model to identify predictors of complaints among surgeons. RESULTS: The rate of complaints was 2.3 times higher for surgeons than physicians (112 compared with 48 complaints per 1000 practice years, P < 0.001). Two-fifths (41%) of the higher rate of complaints among surgeons was attributable to issues other than treatments and procedures, including fees (IRR = 2.68), substance use (IRR = 2.10), communication (IRR = 1.98) and interpersonal behaviour (IRR = 1.92). Male surgeons were at a higher risk of complaints, as were specialists in orthopaedics, plastic surgery and neurosurgery. DISCUSSION: Surgeons are more than twice as likely to attract complaints as their physician peers. This elevated risk arises partly from involvement in surgical procedures and treatments, but also reflects wider concerns about interpersonal skills, professional ethics and substance use. Improved understanding of these patterns may assist efforts to reduce harm and support safe practise.

The Popularity of Outcome Measures for Hip and Knee Arthroplasties.

BACKGROUND: The optimal methods of determining outcomes following hip and knee arthroplasty remain controversial. The objectives of this study were to determine the most frequently used outcome measures in randomized controlled trials (RCT) and study protocols registered with clinical trials registries (CTR) on hip and knee arthroplasty. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was undertaken to identify the outcome measures used in RCT and CTR following joint arthroplasty. Databases searched included Embase, Ovid MEDLINE (including In-Process), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL Plus, clinicaltrials.gov, ISRCTN registry, and ANZCTR. Differences in the use of outcome measures between RCT and CTR were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 291 RCT and 113 CTR on hip arthroplasty and 452 RCT and 184 CTR on knee arthroplasty that met the inclusion criteria. The most popular outcome measures were the Harris Hip Score and the Knee Society Score. Multiple outcome measures were used in greater than 50% of the included studies. The Oxford Hip Score, Oxford Knee Score, EuroQol-5D, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (all P < .001) were used in significantly more CTR than RCT. CONCLUSION: There is a clear preference for the use of the Harris Hip Score and Knee Society Score, contrary to existing international guidelines and reviews on the topic. Both measures require clinician input, which potentially influences their validity and increases their overall administration cost. Some patient-reported outcome measures, such as the Oxford Hip and Knee Scores, EuroQol-5D, and KOOS, appear to be increasing in popularity.

Preferences for Disease-Related Education and Support Among Younger People With Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the usefulness and accessibility of different delivery modes of disease-related education and support, as perceived by younger people with osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: People ages 20-55 years with hip or knee OA were recruited from 3 major Australian public hospitals and the community (n = 147). Data were collected on use of disease-related education and support services, as well as perceived usefulness and accessibility of delivery modes including group-based programs, online resources, telephone helplines, mailed information, social media, and mobile applications (rated on visual analog scales from 1-10; higher scores indicate greater usefulness or accessibility). RESULTS: Very few participants had used social media (5%), group self-management programs (3%), or telephone helplines (2%) to obtain OA information. Mailed information packs and online education programs were considered the most useful (median usefulness scores 8.0 and 7.0, respectively) and accessible methods (median accessibility scores 10.0 and 9.0, respectively) for providing OA education and support. Social media was perceived as least useful (median usefulness score 2.0) and least accessible; 45% of participants considered it "not at all useful," while 35% reported it would be "very difficult" to access OA education and support by this means. Less educational attainment was associated with greater perceived difficulty in accessing online/electronic delivery modes, while people in paid work perceived easier access. CONCLUSION: These data highlight the value of mailed information and online education to younger people with OA and can be used to develop targeted resources for individuals of working age. Social media was not a highly valued source of disease-related education and support.