Differential impact of a crew resource management program according to professional specialty

Abstract

Adverse events occur in 3% to 16% of hospital patients, half of these during surgery and related to human error. The authors' objective was to determine the impact of a crew resource management program in collaboration with Swiss International Airlines. Participants included operating room personnel: surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and technicians. Outcome measures were a 10-item questionnaire evaluating participants' satisfaction and a 32-item survey to analyze participants' learning. Nine seminars included 99 participants: 22% surgeons, 19% anesthesiologists, 29% nurses, and 30% nurse's aides/technicians. Satisfaction was very high for course organization (91%), group dynamics (74%), and teaching methods (68%). Significant improvements in learning were observed after the course in 17 out of 32 questions. Surgeons demonstrated the greatest improvement in knowledge (P = .018), specifically teamwork and safety-related issues. Less improvement was seen for all specialties in stress recognition areas. Crew resource management is valuable in improving operating room staff knowledge regarding teamwork, safety climate, and stress recognition. However, program impact varies with participant specialty.