Characteristics of team briefings in gynecological surgery. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Forsyth, Katherine L.; Hildebrand, Emily A.; Hallbeck, M. Susan; Branaghan, Russell J.; Blocker, Renaldo C.
• Is Part Of: Applied ergonomics. Volume 78(2019)
• Page Start: 263
• Page End: 269
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Team briefings -- Gynecological surgery -- Communication; Human engineering -- Periodicals; 620.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.02.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-6870

Abstract

Abstract: Preoperative briefings have been proven beneficial for improving team performance in the operating room. However, there has been minimal research regarding team briefings in specific surgical domains. As part of a larger project to develop a briefing structure for gynecological surgery, the study aimed to better understand the current state of pre-operative team briefings in one department of an academic hospital. Twenty-four team briefings were observed and video recorded. Communication was analyzed and social network metrics were created based on the team member verbal interactions. Introductions occurred in only 25% of the briefings. Network analysis revealed that average team briefings exhibited a hierarchical structure of communication, with the surgeon speaking the most frequently. The average network for resident-led briefings displayed a non-hierarchical structure with all team members communicating with the resident. Briefings conducted without a standardized protocol can produce variable communication between the role leading and the team members present. Highlights: Briefings without a standardized protocol can produce variable communication between the role leading and the team members. Surgeon-led briefings exhibited a hierarchical communication structure without communication between team members. Surgery-specific protocols should consider how the role leading briefings may impact briefing dynamics and communication.