| |
|
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Practice Perfect Editor
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Podiatric Medicine,
Surgery & Biomechanics
College of Podiatric Medicine
Western University of
Health Sciences,
St, Pomona, CA |
Do You Like Music In Your OR?
Over my years in training and practice, I’ve spent countless hours in the operating room with I can’t even count how many different surgeons. Each of those surgeons had their own style, each providing a unique atmosphere to the surgical theater. Of the many different characteristics that created this atmosphere, one of the primary ones was the presence or absence of music. The type of music played during the case and the reaction of the surgeon and staff to that music seemed to mold the entire operative experience. Thinking about these past experiences made me wonder about the science behind music in the operating room. Does music improve performance?
Does music played in the OR improve patient outcomes? What about postoperative pain? In next week’s issue, we’ll take a closer look at music’s effect on patients. For today, let’s take a look at this from the surgeon’s standpoint. What does the research say about music in the OR?
Is it safe to play music in the OR?
Let’s start with the basics. Is it safe to play music in the OR? A 2004 study looked at the quality of performance by surgeons performing specific laparoscopic tasks. Investigators asked 12 surgeons of varying experience (at least 5 years) to perform laparoscopic suturing under 3 conditions: quiet (the control), 80-85 decibel noise, and with music in the background. The researchers evaluated specific measures of the surgeons’ performance (time taken, total number of movements, accuracy, and quality). The investigators found no difference in performance with noise and music and hypothesized that these experienced surgeons were able to block out extra sounds due to the complexity of the task (Moorthy, et al. 2004).
|
 |
|
|
But what about less experienced surgeons, specifically those in training? A recent study in the Netherlands examined if distractions in the OR would affect the work of 12 medical interns performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Under distracting conditions (music mixed with case irrelevant conversation) the researchers found a significant decline in task performance by these less experienced surgeons. Additionally, those who were distracted were found to be more irritated by those around them than those who were able to focus (Pluyter 2010).
From these 2 studies we might infer that music in the OR is safe for the experienced surgeon, but for surgeons in training the combination of music and non-procedure-related conversation should be avoided.
Does music improve surgeon performance?
Unfortunately, this is a difficult question to answer using the medical literature, because there is a paucity of this research. An interesting study looked to answer this question from the physiological standpoint. Researchers asked 50 male surgeons (average age 52 years) to perform a stressful nonsurgical task (serial subtracting) while concurrently listening to music (either Pachelbel’s Canon in D, surgeon-selected music, or no music). While doing this task, the surgeons were observed for skin electrical conductance, blood pressure, pulse rate, speed, and accuracy. Investigators found a significant decrease in autonomic-mediated stress and improvement in task performance with surgeon-selected music more than researcher-selected music more than no music (Alan and Blascovich 1994). Stress declined and performance improved when surgeons could choose their own music.
What kind of music should be played?
To what kind of music do OR staff and physicians listen? A survey of 171 physicians and nurses found 63% of participants listened to music regularly, and classical music was the most requested genre (58%). Seventy-seven percent found music to make staff more calm and efficient (Ullmann 2006).
As the above study by Allen and Blascovitch indicated, surgeons perform better when listening to familiar music. For those of you with strong willed OR staff, here’s your scientific evidence for why YOU should choose the music!
Do you like music in your operating room? If so, what’s your favorite genre? Are you a classical fan or do you like to rock out while taking care of your patients? Write in with your thoughts.
Here’s to years of success to you all! And I’ll see you at the next conference.
Keep writing in with your thoughts and comments. Better yet, post them in our eTalk forum.
Best wishes.
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT Practice Perfect Editor
[email protected]
Get a steady stream of all the NEW PRESENT Podiatry
eLearning by becoming our Facebook Fan.
Effective eLearning and a Colleague Network await you. |
 |
This eZine was made possible through the support of our sponsors: |
|
