Career Longevity Research Articles

Risk of burnout, psychological growth, longevity of career and making sense of Covid-19 in senior Australian radiation oncologists.

Senior radiation oncologists in hospital/organisational settings, are repetitively and vicariously exposed to others' traumatic distress-perpetuating risk of burnout. Little is known of the additional organisational burdens of the Covid-19 pandemic on their mental well-being for career longevity. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, semi-structured interviews provided positive and negative subjective interpreted data from five senior Australian radiation oncologists during Covid-19 lockdowns. One superordinate theme, Vicarious risk, hierarchical invalidation, redefining altruistic authenticity, overarched four subordinate themes: (1) Vicarious contamination of caring, (2) The hierarchical squeeze, (3) The heavy burden of me and (4) Growth of authenticity. For these participants, juxtaposed challenges to career longevity and mental well-being were 'self' as empathic carer to vulnerable patients, and ever-increasing burdens of the organisation. Sensing invalidation, they experienced periods of exhaustion and disengagement. However, with experience and seniority, self-care was prioritised and nurtured through intrapersonal honesty, altruism and relational connectedness with patients and mentoring forward junior colleagues. Focusing on mutual well-being, a sense of life beyond radiation oncology became acceptable. For these participants, self-care became a relational joining with their patients separate from the lack of systemic support which heralded an early termination to their career for psychological well-being and authenticity.

DS19 Characterizing ergonomics in dermatology surgical practice: results of an online questionnaire distributed by the British Society for Dermatological Surgery

Abstract Ergonomics is the study of the interaction between humans and their working environment. By evaluating workplace ergonomics, we can reduce the potential for injury and ill health and improve performance and productivity. Poor postures can contribute to surgical fatigue and introduce errors due to impaired psychomotor performance. Furthermore, it reduces physician wellbeing and career longevity. A US study in 2010 reported that > 90% of Mohs surgeons suffered from musculoskeletal injury at work. No study of ergonomics in dermatological surgery has been undertaken outside of the USA. We aimed to characterize the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries and ergonomic practices among dermatological surgeons in the UK and Ireland. An online questionnaire consisting of 17 questions was circulated via the British Society for Dermatological Surgery in January 2023. There were 74 responders from the UK and Ireland. Forty per cent were consultant dermatologists and Mohs surgeons, 27% were consultant dermatologists, 15% were registrars, 7% were Mohs fellows, and 11% were of other groups. The mode age range was 45–49 years (23%) followed closely by 40–44 years (22%). Forty-seven per cent were female and 51% were male. The mode number of hours operating per week was ∼4–8 h (28%; range from ∼4 h or less to ∼40 h or more). Seventy-six per cent operated standing, while 22% shifted between sitting and standing. Regarding pain directly related to undertaking surgery, 34% experienced neck pain ‘sometimes’, with 16% reporting pain ‘often’ and ‘always’. Forty-three per cent experienced lower back pain ‘sometimes’, with 11% reporting lower back pain ‘often’ and 22% reporting back pain ‘never’. Thirty-eight per cent reported stiffness related to undertaking surgery ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’, while 43% reported ‘never’ experiencing stiffness. Nineteen per cent wore loupes while operating, with 71% of this group reporting that loupes made their posture ‘much better or better’. Most respondents began to have symptoms after 5 years of operating. Over a third of respondents had physiotherapy for their pain. Forty-nine per cent of respondents felt more pain on days they operated. Seventy-eight per cent of respondents had no formal education on ergonomics at their institution. These results highlight that chronic pain is prevalent among dermatological surgeons in the UK and Ireland. Modification of footwear, table height, operating position, lighting and surgical instruments may all improve ergonomics. Surgeons should also be mindful of their posture, hold instruments lightly, take microbreaks, stretch during their surgical day and aim to maintain fitness outside of work. Ergonomics training should be incorporated formally into educational meeting updates, and consideration of formal guidelines from associated physician bodies should be prioritized in order to protect the health and wellbeing of dermatological surgeons and prevent musculoskeletal injury, early burnout and retirement.

Views from Australian osteopaths and industry stakeholders about the profession: A qualitative study

BackgroundThe future health and longevity of the osteopathy profession relies heavily on its practitioners and industry stakeholders to support it. Possessing a deeper understanding of practitioner and stakeholder views of the profession may provide crucial insights into the wellbeing of the workforce and their perceived skills and expertise in the wider healthcare landscape. ObjectiveTo provide a review of current and emerging attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of Australian osteopaths and supportive external stakeholders towards the profession. MethodsA qualitative approach using grounded theory explored the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of Australian osteopaths and supportive external stakeholders. Purposive sampling identified 18 practitioners (Victoria 10, Western Australia 5, and New South Wales 3) and 6 external stakeholders. All participated in semi-structured focus groups. A constant comparative method followed data collection whereby repeated ideas formed the extraction of the emerging themes presented. ResultsCentral themes for each group included: 1) practitioner wellbeing and 2) osteopathic skills and expertise. Subthemes included: 1) career sustainability and longevity for practitioners, and 2) osteopathy within the broader context of allied healthcare in Australia. ConclusionThreats to practitioner wellbeing included lack of early career support, limited career pathways, and uncertainty surrounding the future of the profession. External stakeholders echoed similar concerns regarding the future of the profession, acknowledging whilst osteopathy may play a sustainable role in managing the health and wellbeing of Australians, their skills and expertise are not unique nor exclusive to the profession, are under-evidenced, and undervalued by other healthcare professionals. Fostering a healthy and fulfilled workforce lies in securing a sustainable role for the profession by addressing these limitations.

Self-employment and Adaptation to Transformative Digitalization during Later Working Life

In Europe, the self-employed typically have greater career longevity than employees. In Finland, self-employment is becoming more prevalent among older workers. Digitalization complicates the workforce attachment of older workers because of the need to acquire new skills and manage technological interruptions. Few studies have explored how self-employed workers are affected by digitalization. First, this article explores what aspects of transformative digitalization are challenging for the self-employed in particular. Second, it identifies strategies used by the older self-employed to address digitalization-related challenges. The study presents three case studies of self-employed Finns aged over 60. While each participant adopted new digital technologies at work, they spent different amounts of time managing technological interruptions. The study shows that diverse technological requirements of different clients increase the digital complexity at work for the self-employed, and that the self-employed pursue diverse strategies to manage digitalization-related work demands, ranging from avoidance of technology to technological specialization.

Return to Play Rates Following Operative Ankle Fractures Differ Between High- and Low-Performing National Football League Athletes.

This study investigated predictive factors for return to play among National Football League athletes after operative treatment of ankle fractures and the impacts of these injuries on career longevity and player performance. Athletes who underwent surgery to repair ankle fractures from the 2013 to 2017 seasons were identified from injury reserve lists and press releases. Demographics and season metrics were collected before and after the injury. Statistical analysis assessed for differences in recorded variables between injured and uninjured players. Thirty-one players met study inclusion criteria. Twenty-two (71%) athletes successfully returned to play. Players who did not return showed no significant differences (P>.05) in position, age, body mass index, number of games or seasons played preinjury, or snaps per game the season prior to injury and had a significantly lower (42.6%, P=.013) preinjury season approximate value (SAV) compared with returning players. Returning athletes showed no significant differences (P>.05) in SAV or snaps per game compared with their preinjury season or with uninjured controls. A high preinjury SAV is associated with successful return to play. No difference in game time or performance metrics was detectable between returning players and uninjured controls, or between preinjury and postinjury seasons. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(1):22-27.].

Assessing the Prevalence of Burnout Among Female Microvascular Head and Neck Surgeons.

Background: Research has not explicitly explored differences between male and female microvascular head and neck (MHN) surgeon burnout, which should be identified and addressed to ensure career satisfaction and longevity. Objective: To measure and compare the prevalence of burnout among male versus female MHN surgeons. Methods: A prospective questionnaire based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was distributed through a web-based survey to the American Association of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and American Head and Neck Society in 2021 and 2022. Additional variables collected included demographics, relationship and parental status, academic rank, annual salary, and COVID-19-related questions. Results: One hundred thirteen surveys were collected. Twenty-nine (25.7%) were women and all completed MHN surgery fellowships. Women trended toward more emotional exhaustion than men (2.8 mean MBI vs. 2.3 mean MBI) but reported similar personal achievement (4.8 mean MBI vs. 4.9 mean MBI). Men experienced less workplace sexual harassment (p < 0.001). Women experienced more burnout (69% vs. 39%, p = 0.006) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Female MHN surgeons reported in this survey to experience more workplace sexual harassment and higher COVID-19-related burnout than their male counterparts.

Excellence fulfilled? On the unique developmental needs of professional athletes.

While the term "athlete development" has been used to capture the changes (physical, psychological, etc.) that occur as an athlete moves from initial sport engagement to elite performance, much of the research in this area has focused on earlier stages of the pathway, with very little work examining the highest levels of sport. Considering a person's bio-psycho-social development continues through adulthood, the limited attention to development for athletes at higher competitive levels is perhaps surprising. In this short article, we highlight several notable discrepancies between different competitive levels (e.g., pre-professional sport and professional sport) in the way development is conceptualized, contextualized, and operationalized. We use available evidence to provide guidance for researchers and practitioners to encourage the delivery of structured developmental programming in professional sport systems to aid with the transitionary period between pre-elite and elite levels, and to help foster career longevity.

Return to play after rotator cuff tear in National Football League athletes

Rotator cuff tears are rare injuries in National Football League (NFL) athletes and there are limited data to help guide players and team physicians. The purpose of this study was to assess return to play (RTP) rates, performance levels, and career length following a rotator cuff tear during their playing career. Using publicly available data, we identified players who sustained a rotator cuff tear between 2000 and 2019. Demographic information, treatment (operative vs. nonoperative), RTP rate, preinjury and postinjury performance score, position, and career length were entered into the analysis. Twenty-nine athletes with a mean age of 27.4 years (±3.1) at the time of injury were included in this study. Forty-eight percent were offensive and 52% defensive players. 79.3% (23/29) were able to RTP at the same professional level for an average of 2.8±3.4 years. The average time to RTP after injury was 198.4±125.3 days. The average age of players who RTP was 26.7±2.5 years compared to those who did not (30.3±3.7, P=.02). Similarly, the preinjury NFL career length was 4.0±2.2 in players who RTP compared to those who did not (7.5±2.7, P=.01). Most injuries (82.2%) were treated surgically; however, there was no significant difference (P>.05) in RTP rates, performance score, or career longevity between operative and nonoperative cohorts. Overall RTP rates for NFL athletes following a rotator cuff injury are promising with approximately 80% returning at the same performance level regardless of treatment type. Older, veteran players particularly those over the age of 30 were significantly less likely to RTP and should be counseled accordingly.

High Return to Play Rate and Diminished Career Longevity are Seen Following Arthroscopic Shoulder Labral Repair in Major League Baseball Players

High Return to Play Rate and Diminished Career Longevity are Seen Following Arthroscopic Shoulder Labral Repair in Major League Baseball Players

The Relationship between Structural Empowerment, Resilience, and Intent to Stay for Midwives and Nurses at Eastern Province Hospitals, Saudi Arabia

Background: To contribute to a midwife's and nurse's career longevity, midwives and nurses working in today's dynamic, changing healthcare system need personal resilience, a strong sense of structural empowerment, and the necessary skills to respond to workplace challenges. The current study demonstrates the importance of the relationship between structural empowerment, resilience, and intent to stay. Method: A cross‐sectional, correlational design was utilized to achieve the aim of the current study. Result: The total sample size was 200 midwives and nurses. A Pearson's Product Moment correlation coefficient was used to predict the strength of the statistical relationship between the variables. There was a moderately strong relationship between structural empowerment and intent to stay; a low relationship between resilience and intent to stay and a moderately strong relationship between resilience and structural empowerment. Conclusion: The study concludes that structural empowerment, resilience, and intent to stay are variables related to midwives' and nurses' growth in the organization, which provided for further intervention plans by the Saudi ministry of health to assess the workplace environment to enhance midwives' and nurses' empowerment and resilience.

Prevalence and Impact of Musculoskeletal Pain Due to Operating Among Surgical Trainees

Upwards of 79%-88% of practicing surgeons report musculoskeletal pain due to operating. However, little is known about when these issues begin to become clinically significant. This survey evaluates the prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal pain among surgical residents. After IRB approval, an anonymous 19-question survey based on Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire was sent to current surgical residents measuring frequency and degree of pain at 5 sites (neck, shoulder, upper back, lower back, and elbow/wrist) as well as impact on activities both at work and outside of work. Chi square analysis was used to identify differences between groups. Single academic medical center. Trainees in all surgical-based specialties. Fifty-three residents responded from 8 different specialties (38% response rate). Respondents were a representative balance of male (53%)/female (47%) with a mean age of 30 ± 2 years. Residents in all specialties and all years of clinical training responded, with the greatest number from general surgery (the largest program with 48% of respondents), second year of clinical training (30%) and an overwhelming 96% of residents reported experiencing pain they felt was due to operating. The most common sites of pain were the neck (92%) and lower back (77%). This pain was a frequent issue for most with 74% reporting multiple times per month and 26% reporting pain nearly every day. Nearly half of residents reported that pain slightly to substantially interfered with their ability to work (44%) and with activities outside of work (47%). Most residents (75%) sought no treatment. No residents missed work despite reporting pain. Musculoskeletal pain begins during training, occurs regularly, and affects function. Neck pain is the most frequent, severe, and disabling site. This provides a target for interventions to reduce the impact of chronic pain on patient care, surgeon wellness, and career longevity.

An Exercise Prescription To Improve Posture, Minimize Injury, and Improve Career Longevity in Surgeons

A contemporary exercise and strength regimen can improve posture, minimize injury, and improve career longevity in surgeons. By targeting core stability, neck posture, and thoracoscapular strength, surgeons and operating room teams can minimize neck and lower back pain.

Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Veterinary Surgeons-A Cross-Sectional Survey.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) in veterinary surgeons using an online survey. An online survey was distributed to 1,031 diplomates of American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Responses were collected with data regarding surgical activities, experience with various types of MSS in 10 different body sites and attempts to reduce MSS. Two hundred and twelve respondents (21% response rate) completed the distributed survey in 2021. Ninety-three per cent of respondents had experienced MSS associated with surgery in at least one body part, with the neck, lower back and upper back frequently affected. Musculoskeletal discomfort and pain worsened with prolonged surgical hours. Forty-two per cent of them suffered from chronic pain persisting longer than 24 hours after surgeries. Musculoskeletal discomfort was common regardless of practice emphasis and procedure types. Forty-nine per cent of respondents with musculoskeletal pain had taken medication, 34% sought physical therapy for MSS and 38% ignored the symptoms. Over 85% of respondents showed more than some concern regarding career longevity due to musculoskeletal pain. Work-related MSS are common in veterinary surgeons, and the results of this study warrant longitudinal clinical studies to determine risk factors and attention to workplace ergonomics in veterinary surgery.

Surgical Ergonomics and Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.

In Brief Implementation of surgical ergonomics should be considered to avoid work-related musculoskeletal disorders, which cause disability and affect surgeons' career longevity and productivity.

LOUPES IN ORTHODONTIC PRACTICE: A REVIEW

Introduction: The dental practice places an enormous emphasis on the operator's visual acuity and musculoskeletal system. While performing orthodontic procedures, the dental surgeon may incline their head and neck towards the patient's mouth to get closer and obtain a better view of the operating eld, thus increasing the dentist's risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. Loupes should be considered a standard piece of equipment for today's clinicians. Magnication benets of loupes are visual acuity at a greater focal distance with decreased eye strain and increased treatment accuracy and effectiveness, which increases the quality of patient care. Ergonomically correct posture decreases neck, shoulder, and back strain and increases the longevity of your career. Start using loops as a student if possible. It is easier, to begin with, good posture than to break old habits. The current evidence endorses the advantages of magnication loupes in dentistry in diagnosis and treatment delivery. However, more studies should be conducted to research different procedure outcomes over the long run. Further, there is strong scientic evidence supporting the use of dental magnication loupe for postural and musculoskeletal support, but very few articles about orthodontics. Aims and Objectives: Material and Methods: This review article aims to emphasize the ergonomic benet of dental loupes in orthodontics. The paper included 60 articles selected on dental loupes with inclusion criteria and 41 articles were excluded based on exclusion criteria. Overall, seven electronic databases in seven databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, beginning, and hand searching until 2021, were conducted. Dental loupes can have a positi Conclusion: ve effect on the quality of the treatment where the debonding procedure can result in less enamel damage and the bracket bonding procedure will leave composite residues which is called ash, As we deal with different types of new bracket system, which has doors to lock the wire in the bracket, its difcult to work manage the composite owing into it through the naked eye and therefore we recommend the use of dental loupes in any orthodontic procedures

Augmenting Career Longevity: An Analysis of Ergonomics Training Among 134 Neurological Surgeons

Work-related pain among neurosurgeons remains understudied, yet can have long-term consequences which affect operative efficiency and efficacy, career longevity, and life outside of work. This study provides insight into the extent of pain experienced by neurosurgeons and the effect of ergonomics training on pain. An online survey pertaining to ergonomics and pain was sent to all neurosurgeons on the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS) email distribution list. Statistical comparisons of age groups against pain levels and ergonomics training against pain levels, as well as multivariate linear regression of demographics, training, and operating factors against pain levels were performed. One hundred and thirty-four neurosurgeons responded to the survey. The mean average severity of pain across respondents was 3.3/10 and the mean peak severity of pain was 5.1/10. Among the reported peak pain severity scores, neurosurgeons with 21-30years of operating experience had significantly higher pain scores than those with 11-20years of experience (mean 6.2 vs. 4.2; P<0.05), while neurosurgeons with more than 30years of experience had significantly less pain than those with 21-30years of experience (mean 4.4 vs. 6.2, P=0.005). Training in ergonomics did not significantly improve respondents' reported peak or mean pain severities (17.9% reported having ergonomics training). Ergonomics training did not appear to make a difference in neurosurgeons' pain severities. This may signify a need to optimize ergonomics pedagogy to achieve observable benefits.

A cross-sectional study of colic and rate of return to racing in Thoroughbreds at Seoul Racecourse in Korea between 2010 and 2020.

The incidence of colic and the outcomes of colic surgery have not been surveyed in racetracks in Korea. This study examined the incidence, mortality, and case fatality of colic and investigated the effects of age and sex after an exploratory celiotomy on the long-term survival rate (return to racing), subsequent racing performance, and career longevity. The incidence, mortality, and case fatalities of colic were examined over an 11-year period. The records of 40 horses that had undergone a celiotomy, after participating in at least one race and 75 race-matched control horses were analyzed. The racing performance and career length of the horses that returned to racing post-surgery were compared with a control group. The annual incidence, fatality rate of colic, and annual mortality rate at Seoul Racecourse were 6.5, 2.8 per 100 horse-years, and 0.2 deaths cases per 100 horse-years, respectively. Of the 40 horses that underwent colic surgery, 26 (65%) returned to racing. The likelihood of returning to racing decreased with increasing age of the horses, and geldings had a lower probability of returning. While the performance in the five preoperative races between the two groups was not significantly different, a significant decrease in racing performance was observed after the surgery date (p < 0.01). Horses that underwent colic surgery did not show a significant decrease in career length. Surgical treatment for colic at the age of three and four years had a negative impact on the racing performance. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in career longevity between the two groups.

Managing Athlete Anxiety: A Comprehensive Review of Psychological Interventions in Sports Psychology

Anxiety in athletes is a pivotal factor affecting performance, mental health, and career longevity. This comprehensive review synthesizes current research on psychological interventions aimed at managing athlete anxiety, offering insights into their effectiveness and applicability in sports psychology. Employing a systematic methodology, the review analyzes studies from peer-reviewed journals published between 2010 and 2023, focusing on interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and motivational interviewing. The findings indicate that tailored, context-specific interventions yield the most significant improvements in reducing anxiety and enhancing athletic performance. Moreover, the review highlights the need for holistic approaches that consider individual athlete needs, sport-specific demands, and cultural factors. The synthesis of empirical data suggests that integrating psychological interventions into athletes' training regimes can lead to positive outcomes in both mental well-being and performance. This review underscores the importance of psychological support in sports and serves as a resource for practitioners and researchers in developing effective strategies for managing athlete anxiety.

The Relative Citation Ratio: Evaluating a New Measure of Scientific Influence Among Academic Sports Medicine Surgeons.

Objective measures of research influence are being increasingly utilized to evaluate and compare academic faculty. However, traditional bibliometrics, such as the Hirsch index and article citation count, are biased by time-dependent factors and are limited by a lack of field normalization. The relative citation ratio (RCR) is a new field- and time-normalized article-level metric developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the RCR among fellowship-trained academic sports medicine surgeons and to analyze physician factors associated with RCR values. We hypothesized that the mean RCR score for fellowship-trained academic sports medicine surgery faculty will fall above the NIH standard. Cross-sectional study. A retrospective data analysis was performed using the iCite database for all fellowship-trained sports medicine surgery faculty associated with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited orthopaedic surgery residency programs in December 2021. In eligible faculty, the mean RCR, weighted RCR, and total publication count were compared by sex, career duration, academic rank, and presence of additional degrees. A mean RCR value of 1.0 is the NIH-funded field-normalized standard. The data herein are presented as the median and interquartile range, in addition to the mean and standard deviation, to account for outliers of the mean and weighted RCR scores. A total of 624 fellowship-trained sports medicine surgery faculty members from 160 orthopaedic surgery residency programs were included in the analysis. Overall, faculty produced impactful research, with a median RCR of 1.6 (interquartile range, 1.0-2.2) and a median weighted RCR of 19.3 (interquartile range, 5.1-69.3). Advanced academic rank and career longevity were associated with increased weighted RCR and total publication count. All subgroups analyzed had an RCR value >1.0. Study findings indicate that fellowship-trained academic sports medicine surgery faculty are highly productive and produce impactful research, as evidenced by the high median RCR value relative to the benchmark NIH RCR value of 1.0.

Recent Innovations in Sports Physiology: Shaping the Future of Athletic Performance

This article provides an in-depth exploration of the dynamic field of sports physiology and its critical impact on athletic performance and training. It begins by examining the integration of sports physiology in coaching and athlete training, highlighting the shift towards personalized training regimes. These regimes are increasingly informed by genetic and physiological data, allowing for tailored workout plans that optimize performance and minimize injury risks. The role of wearable technology in this context is emphasized, showcasing how real-time physiological monitoring is revolutionizing training methodologies. The article then delves into the role of sports physiology in injury prevention and management, discussing innovations that have led to more effective injury prevention strategies, advancements in protective gear, and rehabilitation techniques grounded in the latest research. A significant focus is placed on the impact of environmental factors such as altitude, temperature, and humidity on athletic performance. This section underscores the importance of acclimatization strategies and physiological adaptations, enabling athletes to optimize performance in diverse environmental conditions. The discussion extends to cover the implications of these environmental factors, technological advancements, and personalized training approaches on injury prevention and management. It also explores the future directions of sports physiology research, highlighting emerging areas such as genomics and metabolomics, and the importance of bridging the gap between research and practical application. The article concludes by synthesizing these insights, underscoring their profound implications for the future of sports physiology and athletic performance. It emphasizes the importance of integrating scientific findings into practical applications, reflecting the evolving nature of sports physiology as a key driver in enhancing athletic performance, health, and career longevity. This comprehensive overview offers a detailed perspective on the current state and future potential of sports physiology, illustrating its pivotal role in the realm of competitive sports and athlete development.