The impact of surgical complications on obstetricians’ and gynecologists’ well-being and coping mechanisms as second victims

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2024-08
• Main Authors: Collings, Rachel, Potter, Christian, Gebski, Val, Janda, Monika, Obermair, Andreas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: complications; physical and mental health; second victim; sleep; survey
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.07.043

Obstetrics and gynecology surgery is becoming increasingly complex because of an aging population with increasing rates of medical comorbidities and obesity. Complications are therefore common, and not only impact the patient but can also cause distress to the obstetrics and gynecology surgeon as a “second victim.” This study aimed to describe and quantify the range of effects of complications on obstetrics and gynecology surgeons, and assess sociodemographic, clinician, and practice factors associated with such impact. A cross-sectional survey was developed on the basis of interviews with obstetrics and gynecology surgeons and a review of the literature. The survey assessed obstetrics and gynecology surgeons’ demographic, clinical, and practice characteristics; estimated the number of complications per year and the impact of complications on distress, physical and mental health, sleep, and relationships; and explored strategies that obstetrics and gynecology surgeons used to cope with complications. Univariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between obstetrics and gynecology surgeons’ characteristics and complication consequences. Overall, of 727 survey respondents, 431 (61%) were female, 384 (55%) were aged ≥50 years, almost half had worked as obstetrics and gynecology surgeons for ≥15 years (329 [45%]), and 527 (73%) reported completing