CTVS | Performance under Pressure: Surgeons’ Tolerance of Intraoperative Uncertainty
Study design
Exploratory Observational Study
About the project
Surgical training traditionally emphasizes technical motor skills, yet cognitive stress can impair performance. Developing tolerance for uncertainty is essential to protect against stress, but this aspect is rarely addressed in training. Understanding how cognitive factors influence surgeons’ experience of uncertainty during operations, we can design and test new educational initiatives.
This study combines observations and validated questionnaires and biometric measures. Junior and senior doctors are observed managing ambiguous situations in simulated and clinical surgical settings (sub studies 1–2). Findings inform an educational intervention targeting strategies, pitfalls, and learning objectives (sub study 3).
Objective(s)
- Identify intrapersonal strategies and competencies for managing intraoperative uncertainty
- Develop an educational initiative based on these strategies and competencies for trainee surgeons.
- Evaluate the impact of this educational initiative on the tolerance of intraoperative uncertainty.L before and after discontinuing OAC and to compare the HRQOL with and without OAC
Collaboration
The study is a collaboration between Central Denmark Region’s simulation center, MidtSim, and Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital. The project group has collaborators at other surgical departments within the Central Denmark Region and North Denmark Region.
Project group
- Anni Germann Najbjerg. MD, PhD student
- Rune Dall Jensen. Associate professor, research leader, MSc, PhD. Koncern HR MidtSim, Central Denmark Region & Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University.
- Maria Louise Gamborg. Assistant professor, MSc in Psychology, PhD. Danish School of Education, Education Studies, Aarhus University.
- Per Lehnert. Senior Consultant Responsible for Education, Clinical Associate Professor, PhD. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery & Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital.
- Thomas Decker Christensen. Clinical Professor and Chair, Senior Consultant, MD, DMSc, PhD. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery & Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital.
Funding
Sundhedsuddannelser, The Regional Postgraduate Medical Education Administration Office
Status
Ongoing
Project period
Start: November 2025
End: December 2028
