Microbreaks in the OR to Mitigate High Physical and Mental Demands

This study will compare the efficacy of incorporating dynamic exercises into the surgical
procedure, to determine if the exercise intervention will decrease surgeon's perceived
physical discomfort and fatigue and enhance self-reported performance during surgical
procedures. All attending surgeons (Cardiothoracic, Colon and Rectal, General, Gynecology and
Obstetrics, Ophthalmic, Orthopedic, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck, Neurology, Urology, Plastic
and Maxillofacial, Rural, Urology, Thoracic and Vascular ) or surgeons in training that are
board certified or board eligible, performing open or minimally invasive surgery within the
scope of their practice in the house of surgery at Mayo Clinic Rochester, Arizona and Florida
will be eligible to participate. Surgeons who have provided informed consent to participate
will be asked to complete a preliminary baseline survey that will provide information
regarding baseline participant characteristics and demographics.

The intervention is a web based application which will include a short video with verbal
cues, available on computers in the Operating Rooms (ORs). This video will lead surgeons
through the stretch exercises and include a timer to remind them when it is time to stretch.
They will be able to set the time interval between stretches (between 20-55 minutes) and may
activate a snooze on the timer to postpone the stretch to a more opportune time during the
procedure. The stretches can be performed without breaking scrub, in the sterile field and
can be completed in approximately 1 minute.

Surgeons will be asked to participate in this study for approximately 12 weeks , completing a
baseline survey and three end of day surveys. They may use the intervention as much or as
little as they choose during their participation, and will be free to use the application
following study participation. The web application does track participant use, providing date
and time stamps to enable the research team to track surgeon web app utilization. The
application will also record how often the "snooze" was used to delay a stretch, or end
stretches. After surgeons have accessed the web application, they will receive an email with
a quick survey about their experiences with stretches, to assess the impact of the web app.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Attending surgeons (Cardiothoracic, Colon and Rectal, General, Gynecology and
Obstetrics, Ophthalmic, Orthopedic, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck, Neurology, Urology,
Plastic and Maxillofacial, Rural, Urology, Thoracic and Vascular ) or surgeons in
training that are board certified or board eligible, performing open or minimally
invasive surgery within the scope of their practice in the house of surgery at Mayo
Clinic Rochester

2. Over the age of 21

3. As feasible, equal numbers of males, females and minorities

4. Performing greater than 50% of the surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participants who are visibly unwell or report being unwell at time of study

2. Participants unable to devote the minimum time required to complete study procedures