Mini breaks, many benefits: Development and pilot testing of an intraoperative microbreak stretch web-application for surgeons

Esraa S. Abdelall, Bethany R. Lowndes, Amro M. Abdelrahman, Hunter J. Hawthome, M. Susan Hallbeck

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Periodic intraoperative microbreaks with calesthenic exercises performed within the sterile field improved self-reported mental focus (38%) and physical performance (57%) for 56 surgeons. Therefore, targeted stretching exercises and a web-application (web-app) leading the stretches with a reminder system were developed and piloted using user-centered design principles. A focus group with 10 users was conducted to refine the developed app. Seven surgeons (4 females) at a quaternary medical institute piloted the periodic stretching web-app in their operating rooms. At the end of each surgical day, the surgeons completed a short survey about the intraoperative stretching exercises web-app impact on their physical performance, mental focus and workflow disruption. Non-Routine Events were captured during the procedures. Twelve surgical days were followed with a median of 6 microbreaks/day/surgeon. Results showed that better physical performance and lower fatigue were reported (91.7%) across the surgical days, also better mental focus was reported (83.3%) across the surgical days, and less pain/discomfort was reported (100%) across the surgical days, with others reporting no change. The web-app leading sterile field microbreak stretches helped reduce physical pain, discomfort/pain, fatigue, and improve mental focus with minimal disruption for a small sample. The web-app is a promising tool for improving surgeon mental focus and physical performance and potentially musculoskeletal health.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018
PublisherHuman Factors and Ergonomics Society Inc.
Pages1042-1046
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781510889538
StatePublished - 2018
Event62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018 - Philadelphia, United States
Duration: Oct 1 2018Oct 5 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Volume2
ISSN (Print)1071-1813

Conference

Conference62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia
Period10/1/1810/5/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human Factors and Ergonomics

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