The impact of perioperative adverse events on kidney transplant surgeons: a mixed-methods study.
- 1Medical School, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
- 2Department of Renal Transplantation, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
- 3Department of General Surgery, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Clydebank, United Kingdom.
Abstract
Adverse events (AEs) are an inevitable part of every surgeon's career. There is currently no evidence regarding the impact of perioperative AEs on transplant surgeons. This study aims to evaluate the impact of perioperative AEs on kidney transplant surgeons, exploring the emotional, professional and personal consequences when they occur. A mixed-methods exploratory sequential design was used. Purposive sampling was completed to recruit 15 consultant kidney transplant surgeons to be interviewed about an AE that they had experienced. Individual, semi-structured qualitative interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed. Alongside this, participants completed two personality questionnaires: the Big Five Inventory and the DOSPERT attitude to risk questionnaire. Integration of the two data sets occurred during the analysis stage. Four main themes with relevant subthemes were identified: (1) AEs have a psychological impact; (2) the surgical environment influences response; (3) changes in practice following an AE; (4) the influence of personality on response. Triangulation of findings displayed how external factors such as personality, severity of the AE, seniority and the family's reaction can all influence how AEs are processed. This study highlights the psychological and professional impact of perioperative AEs on kidney transplant surgeons. Findings suggest team dynamics, coping strategies and identity shape responses. Further research is needed to inform future support services that are currently not routinely relied upon by transplant surgeons.
Related
- Prognostic value of pulmonary artery pulsatility index for perioperative adverse cardiovascular events in patients undergoing surgery for mitral regurgitation
- Performance and incremental value of preoperative multimodal imaging and perioperative clinical characteristics in predicting postoperative major adverse events in type A aortic dissection
- Wearable echocardiography enables real-time perioperative monitoring in a pediatric liver transplant recipient with hepatopulmonary syndrome and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: a case report.
- Severe perioperative immune-related adverse events requiring intensive care in patients with gastric cancer: a case series.
- Routinely available perioperative variables and EHR-captured postoperative adverse-event indicators after adult abdominal surgery: A retrospective cohort study using MOVER EPIC
BibTeX
@article{laverty2026impact,
title = {{The impact of perioperative adverse events on kidney transplant surgeons: a mixed-methods study.}},
author = {Dominic Laverty and Karen Stevenson and Catrin Jones and Carly Bisset and Susan Moug and Emma Aitken},
journal = {Frontiers in transplantation},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/frtra.2026.1959604},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42953070},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The impact of perioperative adverse events on kidney transplant surgeons: a mixed-methods study.
AU - Dominic Laverty
AU - Karen Stevenson
AU - Catrin Jones
AU - Carly Bisset
AU - Susan Moug
AU - Emma Aitken
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - Frontiers in transplantation
DO - 10.3389/frtra.2026.1959604
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42953070
AB - Adverse events (AEs) are an inevitable part of every surgeon's career. There is currently no evidence regarding the impact of perioperative AEs on transplant surgeons. This study aims to evaluate the impact of perioperative AEs on kidney transplant surgeons, exploring the emotional, professional and personal consequences when they occur. A mixed-methods exploratory sequential design was used. Purposive sampling was completed to recruit 15 consultant kidney transplant surgeons to be interviewed about an AE that they had experienced. Individual, semi-structured qualitative interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed. Alongside this, participants completed two personality questionnaires: the Big Five Inventory and the DOSPERT attitude to risk questionnaire. Integration of the two data sets occurred during the analysis stage. Four main themes with relevant subthemes were identified: (1) AEs have a psychological impact; (2) the surgical environment influences response; (3) changes in practice following an AE; (4) the influence of personality on response. Triangulation of findings displayed how external factors such as personality, severity of the AE, seniority and the family's reaction can all influence how AEs are processed. This study highlights the psychological and professional impact of perioperative AEs on kidney transplant surgeons. Findings suggest team dynamics, coping strategies and identity shape responses. Further research is needed to inform future support services that are currently not routinely relied upon by transplant surgeons.
SN - 2813-2440
ER -