Dr. James Lee (MD,CM, FRCSC, M.Sc., B.Eng.) is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at McGill University (Montreal, QC, Canada) and an attending Plastic Surgeon at the McGill University Health Center.
Department of Surgery, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
Dr. Ahmed Aoude (MD, FRCSC, M.Eng., B.Eng.) is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is an Assistant Professor of surgery at McGill University (Montreal, QC, Canada) and holds further appointment as a staff orthopedic surgeon, MSK oncology surgeon, and Orthopedic spine surgeon at the McGill University Health Center. Dr. Aoude is additionally the Director of the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory at McGill University.
Department of Surgery, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
Dr. Alhalabi (MD, FRCS, MHPE, PhD) is a board-certified plastic surgeon recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at McGill University (Montreal, QC, Canada) with an interest in surgical education and peripheral nerve surgery. His research in surgical education focuses on cognitive competencies and the development of simulators. Dr. Alhalabi is pursuing further training in pediatric care.
Department of Experimental Surgery, McGill University
Dr. Lucie Lessard (MD, FRCSC, FRCSC, FACS) is Board certified in both Plastic and Ear Nose Throat Surgery and recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at McGill University (Montreal, QC, Canada) and an attending Plastic Surgeon at McGill University Health Center. Additionally, Dr. Lessard is the head of a BAHA/Ear Reconstruction for Congenital Problems at the Shriners Hospital where she is the main Plastic Surgeon.
Background: Operating room efficiency is invaluable. Particularly in public health systems, where resources are limited and patient loads are high, efficient systems underpin the continued delivery of high quality care. In addition to impacting patients, the implementation of efficient healthcare tools has the potential to improve staff quality of life. In the face of growing surgical resident attrition and healthcare worker burnout, developments in standard practice, such as the implementation of the 80-hour work week, are necessary to improve quality of life.
Materials and methods: A new online scheduling software (ORNET.CA) was created, installed, and piloted in a Level I Trauma Center after instructing users (physicians and nurses) on its use. A 20-item survey was then distributed to all users to assess the effect implementation of the software had on their quality of life.
Results: ORnet was shown to improve communication between hospital staff and physicians, reduce workflow interruptions, and improve the quality of the working environment. The survey showed that 60% of residents and 50% of attending staff believed that ORNET.CA improved their quality of life.
Conclusions: We present data from a novel emergency operating room scheduling system that allowed surgical residents and attending physicians to better plan their on-call shifts. Staff (resident and physician) reported survey results suggest that implementation of this system resulted in an improved quality of life and a decrease in stress and anxiety levels.
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Management and Quality of life? [master’s thesis]: McGill University; 2019.
