“Being Aware!” Situational Awareness (SA) and its Importance in Safety & Quality Assurance in Neurosurgery

Introduction: Neurosurgery, characterized by its complexity and potential for complications, necessitates comprehensive training beyond technical skills alone. Situational awareness (SA), a cognitive factor crucial in high-stress environments like aviation and emergency medicine, is increasingly recognized for its potential to enhance patient safety and care quality in neurosurgery.

Objective: To assess Situational Awareness (SA) and its Importance in Safety & Quality Assurance in Neurosurgery

Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted between January 2022 and March 2023 surveyed 76 practicing neurosurgeons to assess their experiences with intraoperative incidents, familiarity with SA concepts, and perceived adequacy of SA training. Statistical analysis was performed using R programming via JASP statistical software.

Results: A majority of respondents reported encountering significant intraoperative incidents annually, often deeming them preventable. Despite this, many neurosurgeons admitted to limited familiarity with SA principles and inadequate cognitive skills training. Nevertheless, there was widespread acknowledgment among participants regarding the critical role of SA in mitigating complications during surgery.

Conclusion : Neurosurgery faces challenges related to intraoperative complications, which are frequently viewed as avoidable. The study highlights a notable deficiency in SA education within neurosurgical training programs. Integrating SA training into neurosurgical curricula has the potential to improve patient outcomes by fostering better preparedness and decision-making among surgeons faced with unexpected scenarios in the operating room.