PERCEPTION OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRAUMA CARE AND OTHER SURGICAL EMERGENCIES - RESULTS FROM A NATIONAL SURVEY OF SURGEONS

A national sample of 2500 surgeons was surveyed. Thirteen variables we re analyzed to ascertain perceived differences between trauma care and other surgical emergencies, as well as to identify factors contributi ng to a preferential reluctance to treat trauma. The response rate was 60%. Trauma was perceived as most likely to occur at inconvenient tim es by 67% of respondents, more often complex (44%), and more demanding of specialized knowledge (39%). Trauma was viewed as less likely to b e reimbursed by 35% and most often litigious by 30%. Fewer respondents perceived differences for risk of exposure to lethal pathogens and vi olence (26% and 9%) and personal or professional rewards (25%). Surgeo ns who prefer to treat trauma view it as more often demanding of speci alized knowledge and more complex than other surgical emergencies, Sur geons who prefer not to treat trauma or take trauma call perceive it a s never personally or professionally rewarding, more often disruptive to personal life, emotionally taxing, litigious, and inconvenient comp ared with other emergencies. Perception of dissimilar reimbursement an d personal health risk are less often associated factors. Perceived di fferences in the litigious nature of cases are not based on fact. We c onclude that the individual degree of reluctance or enthusiasm for tra uma care in comparison with other emergencies is influenced by percept ion, personality, and myth rather than by logic and facts.