Pulse measurement with doctor and patient

Study on the effect of stress training on surgeons

Zoë Maher et al.

February 2013

Anti-Stress & Burnout

In Philadelphia , scientists attempted to increase surgeons ' stress management skills and thus their medical performance and resilience by means of stress training.

The sample for the blind study was randomly divided into a control group (n = 15) and an intervention group (n = 11). The latter took part in three three-hour stress training seminars. Both groups then completed the simulation of a stress situation.

The subjects' stress response was analyzed on the basis of defined physiological criteria. The intervention group showed 5% better values than the control group. There was no difference in heart rate or the State Trait Anxiety Inventory between the groups.

The study therefore showed a tendency towards improved stress management after stress training, but no significant change.

Nevertheless, 91% of the test subjects rated the stress training as useful.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Stress
Institution: Department of Surgery, Parkinson Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
Title: Study on the effect of stress training on surgeons
Brief description: A study shows that stress training improves the stress response of surgeons, but does not bring about a major change.
Original title: Stress training for the surgical resident
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23331982/