The colorectal surgeon's personality may influence the rectal anastomotic decision. (5th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moug, S. J.; Henderson, N.; Tiernan, J.; Bisset, C. N.; Ferguson, E.; Harji, D.; Maxwell‐Armstrong, C.; MacDermid, E.; Acheson, A. G.; Steele, R. J. C.; Fearnhead, N. S.
• Other Names: Abbott Sarah investigator.; Adedeji Olufunso investigator.; Anderson Robert investigator.; Armstrong Aidan investigator.; Arnott Bob investigator.; Arthur Laura M. investigator.; Bharathan Bala investigator.; Campbell Ken investigator.; Chapman Mark investigator.; Chaudhri Sanjay investigator.; Cook Tim investigator.; Cope Alexandra investigator.; Davies Justin investigator.; Dworkin Michael investigator.; Dawson Peter investigator.; Durai Rajaraman investigator.; El‐Masry Sherif investigator.; Harikrishnan Arthur investigator.; Hawkin Paul investigator.; Helley Michael investigator.; Hompes Roel investigator.; Jayne David investigator.; Kapur Sandeep investigator.; Kelly Seamus investigator.; Kumar Sandip investigator.; Lacy‐Colson Jon investigator.; Lieske Bettina investigator.; Maw Andrew investigator.; McDermott Frank investigator.; McLennan Elizabeth investigator.; McNair Angus investigator.; Miles Andrew investigator.; Muhammed Alwahid investigator.; McNaught Clare investigator.; Noyes Andriy investigator.; Payne Christopher investigator.; Peel Natalie investigator.; Perthiani Haresh Kumar investigator.; Poh Aaron investigator.; Rajagopal Ramesh investigator.; Roe Alan investigator.; Sagar Peter investigator.; Saunders Michael investigator.; Scarpinata Rosaria investigator.; Secker Adrian investigator.; Senapati Asha investigator.; Shah Parin investigator.; Sharif Hassan investigator.; Simpson Alastair investigator.; Skaife Paul investigator.; Smart Neil investigator.; Sultan Sufian investigator.; Thomson Jessica investigator.; Tilney Henry investigator.; Vasey Carolyn investigator.; Verjee Azima investigator.; Wheeler James investigator.; Williams Nigel investigator.; Wright James investigator.;
• Is Part Of: Colorectal disease. Volume 20:Number 11(2018)
• Page Start: 970
• Page End: 980
• Publication Date: 2018-07-05
• Subjects: Rectal anastomosis -- surgeon personality -- decision‐making; Colon (Anatomy) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Rectum -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.34
• DOI: 10.1111/codi.14293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-8910

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: Colorectal surgeons regularly make the decision to anastomose, defunction or form an end colostomy when performing rectal surgery. This study aimed to define personality traits of colorectal surgeons and explore any influence of such traits on the decision to perform a rectal anastomosis. Method: Fifty attendees of The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland 2016 Conference participated. After written consent, all underwent personality testing: alexithymia (inability to understand emotions), type of thinking process (intuitive versus rational) and personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, openness, emotional stability, conscientiousness). Questions were answered regarding anastomotic decisions in various clinical scenarios and results analysed to reveal any influence of the surgeon's personality on anastomotic decision. Results: Participants were: male (86%), consultants (84%) and based in England (68%). Alexithymia was low (4%) with 81% displaying intuitive thinking (reflex, fast). Participants scored higher in emotional stability (ability to remain calm) and conscientiousness (organized, methodical) compared with population norms. Personality traits influenced the next anastomotic decision if: surgeons had recently received criticism at a departmental audit meeting; were operating with an anaesthetist that was not their regular one; or there had been no anastomotic leaks in their patients for over 1 year. Conclusion: Colorectal surgeons have speciality relevant personalities that potentially influence the important decision to anastomose and could explain the variation in surgical practice across the UK. Future work should explore these findings in other countries and any link of personality traits to patient‐related outcomes.