Clinical Audit in a General Surgery Rotation: Responses and Professional Opinion of Participating House Officers

Abstract

House officers (HOs) face numerous challenges to adapt to new working environment following months of unemployment. Several studies have addressed their psychological distress, and identified that general surgery is one of the most stressful rotation. In this current study, we intend to study their emotional responses when they are participating in clinical audit. The responses were assessed with Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Those who participated in the survey had more positive affect than negative affect. A small proportion of them had a sense of guilt and fear. HOs work far from original hometown and away from family members are having less positive affect. Appropriate measures to allow HOs to work close to family may improve work efficacy and emotional health.