Which patient and surgeon characteristics are associated with surgeon experience of stress during an office visit?

Objective: To determine clinician and patient factors associated with the surgeon feelings of stress, futility, inadequacy, and frustration during an office visit. Methods: A survey-based experiment presented clinical vignettes with randomized patient factors (such as symptom intensity, the number of prior consultations, and involvement in a legal dispute) and feeling behind schedule in order to determine which are most related to surgeon ratings of stress, futility, inadequacy, and frustration on 11-point Likert scales. Results: Higher surgeon stress levels were independently associated with women patients, multiple prior consultations, a legal dispute, disproportionate symptom intensity, and being an hour behind in the office. The findings were similar for feelings of futility, inadequacy, and frustration. Conclusion: Patient factors potentially indicative of mental and social health opportunities are associated with greater surgeon-rated stress and frustration. Innovation: Trainings for surgeon self-awareness and effective communication can transform stressful or adversarial interactions into an effective part of helping patients get and stay healthy by diagnosing and addressing psychosocial aspects of the illness. Level of evidence: N/a.