12 Aug Music Can Affect Efficiency in Surgical Operating Rooms
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Sharon-Marie Weldon, MSc, RN
Department of Surgery and Cancer
Imperial College London, UK
Dr. Terhi Korkiakangas, PhD, MSc, BSc
UCL Institute of Education
University College London, UK
MedicalResearch: What is the background for this study?
Response: Our study draws on a broader video-based observational project on communication in the operating theatres. The effectiveness of team communication can be sometimes attributed to the working environment and the quality of information exchange between team members. Research on noise levels in the operating theatre has shown that the levels exceed World Health Organisation recommendations and thus can impact on teamwork. Interestingly, music is routinely played in an estimated 53-72% of surgical operations performed worldwide. Modern day operating theatre suites, like the ones in which we conducted observations, are often equipped with docking stations and MP3 players and music is played during surgical operations. Prior literature has addressed surgeons’ views on music through interviews, and some performance-based studies using background music have been conducted in controlled simulated settings. Some of the studies suggest that music is beneficial for the surgeons operating: it can improve their concentration. However, the ways in which music can impact on team communication have been relatively under researched, with little evidence on ‘real-time’ interactions.
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings?
Response: We used quantitative and qualitative approaches to examine video recordings of a total of 20 surgical operations in which music was either played or not played. Each operation was logged for communication events, notably requests/questions issued by surgeons, and nurses’ responses to these. Statistical analysis explored the difference between the proportion of repetitions of these requests, and whether music was playing or not. The request/response observations (N=5203) were documented. Chi-square test revealed that repeated requests were five times more likely to occur in cases that had music playing. A repeated request can add 4-68 seconds to operation time and increase tension due to frustration at ineffective communication. The interactional analysis elaborated on the fragments of interaction in which information was exchanged while music was playing. These showed how nurses communicated their difficulties in hearing by prompting surgeons to repeat themselves.
MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Response: The opinions on playing music in the operating theatres are divided. The decisions about music (if it is played) and its volume are determined largely by senior doctors. We recommend that teams discuss music together, for instance, at the start of each operation during the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist. Currently no policies or regulation are in place for playing music during surgical operations. Discussions between clinicians, managers, patients and governing bodies should be encouraged for standard recommendations to be developed in order to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all.
MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Future research could look at how teams manage distractions in the operating theatres and whether discussions about music are happening in this shared working environment. It would be useful to examine how difficulties are being raised and handled in teams, and whether different stages of operations would be more suitable for playing music than other times.
Citation:
Weldon S-M., Korkiakangas T., Bezemer J. & Kneebone R. (2015) Music and communication in the operating theatre. Journal of Advanced Nursing 00(0), 000–000. doi: 10.1111/jan.12744
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Sharon-Marie Weldon,Terhi Korkiakangas (2015). Music Can Affect Efficiency in Surgical Operating Rooms
Last Updated on August 12, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD