Benefits of music on theatre staff in a paediatric theatre setting: a staff survey.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Music has a long-standing place in the operating theatre. Nonetheless, limited studies have investigated the role of music during Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) surgical procedures. AIMS: To evaluate the benefits of background music on ENT theatre staff. METHODS: A 10-question survey was distributed to ENT theatre staff over a four week period. RESULTS: A total of 36 ENT theatre staff responded to the survey, a response rate of 86%. Most participants (61%) enjoyed the calming effect of background music in ENT surgery. The majority of participants responded that music did not affect their communication with other staff (69%), and improved their concentration (61%). Most respondents agreed that music can produce a sense of comfort for the patients (69%), and reduce anxiety before anaesthesia (75%). CONCLUSIONS: Background music can have a calming effect on staff in paediatric elective ENT surgery. This is a decision to be made by the surgical team with direct patient care and, if there is any concern about communication and distraction, then it is to be avoided.