Abstract
Aims
The aim of this study was to determine surgical trainees’ perspective regarding team environment, function, performance, and trust.
Methods
A 44-point, anonymous survey was distributed to all doctors working in surgery in a single UK Statutory Education Body with responses received from 116 (n = 17 Foundation Year 1 (FY1), n = 50 Senior House Officer (SHO), n = 49 Specialist Registrar (SpR)).
Results
Psychological safety was associated with trainee grade; SHO perception of support (60.4%, n = 29), FY1 (88.2%, n = 15), SpR (82.4%, n = 42), p = 0.016; and ability to ask for help: SHO (70.8%, n = 34), FY1 (100.0%, n = 17), SpR (92.2%, n = 47 p = 0.043). Dependability among colleagues was perceived to be poorer by women (69.8%, n = 30) than men (87.5%, n = 63, p = 0.009). Clarity of team structure was associated with grade and perceived to be poor by SHOs (60.4%, n = 29) vs. FY1 (94.1%, n = 16) vs. SpR (78.4%, n = 40), p = 0.014. Meaningfulness and impact of team achievement was associated with grade: SHO (68.8%, n = 33) vs. FY1 (76.5%, n = 13) vs. SpR (94.1%, n = 48), p = 0.005. Inverse correlations were observed between the prevalence of harassment/bullying and markers of psychological safety (rho -0.382, p < 0.001), dependability (rho -0.270, p = 0.003), and clarity of team structure (rho -0.355, p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Important deficiencies in psychological safety impacted two in five of SHOs adversely. Countermeasures (Enhanced Surgical Resilience Training) are needed to protect morale, patient safety, and clinical outcomes.
SP2.2.8Teams, performance, and trust: a perspective from the vanguard
