Optimizing Surgeon Well-being: Ergonomic Innovations, Microbreaks, and Exoskeletons in the Operating Room
Abstract: Surgical ergonomics is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of operative practice, directly impacting both surgeon well-being and patient outcomes. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, many surgeons suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to prolonged static postures, repetitive motions, and suboptimal equipment design. This talk will explore the prevalence of these issues and highlight evidence-based interventions, including intraoperative microbreaks, ergonomic training, and the integration of exoskeletons to reduce fatigue and strain. We will discuss tailored strategies for surgical procedures, emphasizing proper equipment configuration, posture optimization, and emerging technologies to enhance surgeons’ well-being and their career longevity.
Biographies:
Hamid Norasi is an Assistant Professor of Health Care Systems Engineering at the College of Medicine and Science, and a Principal Health Service Analyst in the Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He earned his Ph.D. in Ergonomics and Human Factors from the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering at Iowa State University. His research focuses on health care ergonomics, including musculoskeletal disorders among surgeons, physical and cognitive workload in the operating room, and the development and evaluation of ergonomic interventions in the operating room.
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Dr. Susan Hallbeck, PE, CPE is the Scientific Director of Human Factors Engineering and Professor of Health Care Systems Engineering in the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Healthcare Delivery and a Consultant in Health Care Delivery Research, as well as a Consultant in Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Dr. Hallbeck is the Past-President of both the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) and the Society for Surgical Ergonomics. Dr. Hallbeck is a licensed professional engineer and a certified professional ergonomist.
Susan earned her PhD from Virginia Tech, her MS from Texas Tech and her BS from Iowa State University, all in Industrial Engineering. Prior to joining Mayo Clinic, Dr. Hallbeck was a professor at the University of Nebraska in Industrial Engineering for 25 years and is now an emerita professor there.
Dr. Hallbeck is an HFES Fellow and International Ergonomics Association Fellow. She is on the editorial board of Applied Ergonomics and an associate editor of both Human Factors in Health Care and American Journal of Surgery.