Is Dance Music Distracting Our Surgeons?

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Is Dance Music Distracting Our Surgeons?

Music is an everyday piece of entertainment used by people around the world. Maybe you’re travelling with your earphones in, or pumping some Friday tunes at work to get through the day. Maybe you’re performing extended surgery on a patient in the operating theatre.

The later is putting patients at risk, a new study details.

Maybe obviously pumping any tunes during surgery Doctors are five times more likely to repeat requests to their team, risking patients safety and causing concern while music is playing. Researchers for the Journal of Advanced Nursing divulge into details, filming 20 operations in the UK to observe the effects of music being played during surgery.

“Our study shows that playing music in the operating theatre can run counter to effective communication and highlights the need to consider both positive and negative effects of music on staff and patients,” Sharon Weldon, head researcher explained.

It is to the discretion of the senior surgeons to choose whether music is to be played. Dance music and drum & bass were frequently played with the volume turned up.

Previous research has detailed the benefits of music in the operating room, helping surgeons stay calm, alert and focused. So this may not be a widespread problem occurring, with music being played in 62-72% of the time in theatre. The University Hospital of Wales report around 80% of staff report benefits between music and communication levels, anxiety and efficiency.

Is it unethical to have music playing in the background during potential major operations?

Should surgeons discuss openly with their team before surgery commences?

If people at their desks can de-stres with music, is that the same for a medical team?

What’s your stance?

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