Cross-sectional Analysis of Non-technical Attributes and Surgical Experience 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.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Participant is part of any of the following groups:

Applicant for surgical training in general surgery, orthopedics, urology or plastic surgery.
Trainee in general surgery, orthopedics, urology, plastic surgery.
Staff in general surgery, orthopedics, urology, plastic surgery.
Participant is active at Ghent University Hospital or an affiliated training hospital.

No exclusion criteria apply to this study.

Treatment and study plan

Rating scales concerning non-technical attributes

Other

Other names: Communication styles inventory (CSI-96) rating scale, Physician's reactions towards uncertainty (PRU) rating scale, Physicians's risk attitudes (PRA) rating scale

Primary outcomes

Participant communication styles

Time frame: Rating scale is completed by all groups on study inclusion, after signing informed consent.

Communication Styles Inventory-96 scale:Subdomains: Expressiveness (range: 1-5); Preciseness (range: 1-5); Verbal aggressiveness (range: 1-5); Questioningness (range: 1-5); Emotionality (range: 1-5); Impression manipulativeness (range: 1-5)
Participant attitudes towards uncertainty

Time frame: Rating scale is completed by all groups on study inclusion, after signing informed consent. For the candidate group, this measure is repeated on a selection day during the surgical selection process, +- 1 - 2 months after study inclusion

Physicians' Reactions to Uncertainty (PRU) scale: Anxiety due to uncertainty (Range: 5-30

); Concern about bad outcomes (3-18); Reluctance to disclose uncertainty to patients (Range: 5-30); Reluctance to disclose mistakes to physicians (Range 2-12)
Participant attitudes towards taking risks

Time frame: Rating scale is completed by all groups on study inclusion, after signing informed consent. For the candidate group, this measure is repeated on a selection day during the surgical selection process, +- 1 - 2 months after study inclusion

Physicians' risk attitude (PRA) Scale (Range: 2-12)

Secondary outcomes

Participant perceived actual health status

Time frame: Rating scale is completed by all groups on study inclusion, after signing informed consent.

Short Form-36 scale (Range: 10-50)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Ghent

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Non-technical Attributes and Surgical Experience: a Cross-sectional Study Comparing Communication Styles and Attitudes in Surgical Staff, Trainees and Applicants

Important dates

Study start: 2016
Primary completion: 2024
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Nov 1, 2018
Registry last updated: Jul 8, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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