Implementation of a Brief Evidence-Based Intraoperative Coping Curriculum

Abstract

Background and rationale: Recent research has called for further resident training in coping with errors and adverse events in the operating room. To the best of our knowledge, there currently exists no evidence-based curriculum or training on this topic.

Materials and methods: Synthesizing three prior studies on how experienced surgeons react to errors and adverse events, we developed the STOPS framework for handling surgical errors and adverse events (Stop, Talk to your team, Obtain help, Plan, Succeed). This material was presented to residents in two teaching sessions.

Results and conclusion: In this paper, we describe the presentation of, and the uniformly positive resident reaction to, the STOPS framework: an empirically based psychological tool for surgeons who experience operative errors or adverse events.

Keywords: Coping; Education; Error Management; Errors; Psychology.