Abstract
Objectives To establish the prevalence of operating anxiety amongst
otolaryngologists. Background Performance anxiety is a reaction to
performing a task under pressure, and is linked to worse outcomes in
professional sport. Awareness of the negative impact that performance
anxiety can have on both surgical outcomes and the mental health of
surgeons is increasing. The Royal College of Surgeons has recommended
further evaluation of anxiety amongst surgeons so that we can greater
understand its implications. Design The Sport Competition and Anxiety
Test (SCAT) is a validated questionnaire used to assess anxiety in
professional athletes. A modified version was distributed via the
Association of Otolaryngologists in Training mailing list. Responses
were accepted September-November 2019. Statistical analysis was carried
out using SPSS. Participants Information was collected on the grade and
sex of respondent. Main outcome measures Anxiety levels were calculated
using SCAT guidelines. Results 106 questionnaires were returned 67M:38F
(1 unspecified). 22 consultants, 72 registrars and 11 core trainees
completed the questionnaire (1 unspecified). 6% of otolaryngologists
were identified as having high levels of anxiety. Male trainees were
less anxious than female trainees, mean score 15 vs 18 (range 10-27 vs
11-29, p<0.05). 6% of senior registrars and 9% of junior
registrars had high anxiety compared to 0% consultants. Conclusion This
data suggests high levels of performance anxiety exist amongst ENT
surgeons. Interestingly, the highest anxiety levels were found in
females and registrar level surgeons. With increasing levels of pressure
and higher burn-out rates amongst surgeons, the need to understand the
relationship between anxiety and surgical performance has never been so
important.