Monday, November 10, 2014

Should you listen to music while you work?

BACKGROUND: the playing of music is common in the operating room. Does the staff believe this is beneficial?

METHODS: a survey was done of a random selection of operating theater staff members.

RESULTS: 52 health professionals responded. Of these, 36 stated that music is played in their operating room either every day, or two to three times a week. The majority felt that music helped them enjoy their work more and performed better.

CONCLUSION: most health care professionals in the operating theatre find that listening to music at work is a positive experience.

COMMENT:  The famous neurosurgeon Ben Carson listened to classical music when operating, as detailed in his book Gifted Hands.

J Perioper Pract. 2014 Sep;24(9):199-204