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THE SURGICAL OCCUPATION: LEARNING FROM THE PERFORMING ARTISTS
- Trouli, N. Reissis, University College London, UK
Background:
There are professional similarities and differences between surgeons and performing artists. Surgery is a live performance with consequences for the recipient/patient and the clinician/performer. The performing stage, such as the operating theatres, can be high-stress or high-risk environments. The world of performing arts can offer examples of physical and mental injuries, and performance science reveals risk factors. Surgeons may benefit from this knowledge to improve performance but also to reduce injury.
Methods:
A substantial number of published articles have been reviewed, and risk factors that both surgeons and performing artists are exposed to have been identified. Comparisons of their effect in each group are made, and a further reflection on how health risks are mitigated will follow.
Results:
We argue that extensive training, deliberate practice, mental preparation, dexterity, and work-life balance, not very different from the artist’s routine engagement, are important for the well-being and the longevity of the clinician. We look specifically at how performance anxiety and hand tremor can have a detrimental effect in both groups of professionals. We explore the competitive environments and draw the parallels with performing artists’ pressures and expectations. We finally regard clinical practitioners’ injuries in conjunction with their training addressing educational needs.
Implications:
There is extended common ground, and both groups can benefit and improve their performance while preventing risks to their health. The implications of such realisation could be large and can lead to involvement in common educational approaches in the training and performance of both professions.
References:
The Surgeon and the Musician
Pascal R Vouhe
European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Vol 39, Issue 1,
January 2011, p 1-5
Performance Anxiety among Surgeons
MT Hotton et al
The Bulletin of Royal College of Surgeons, Vol 101, Issue 1,
January 2019, p 20-26
Enhancing Surgical Performance by adopting Expert Musicians practice and performance strategies
Mei Rui et al
Surgery, Vol 163, 2018, p 894-900
What Doctors can learn from Musicians
Danielle Ofri,
The New York Times, Feb 3, 2012
From Musician to Physician
Peter Jackson
CBC News, Aug 6, 2018
