Did you know?
Over 90% of surgeons listen to music while they are operating. While a few docs prefer silence, most of them use the noise to cover up other distracting noises in the operating room. Opening and closing doors can be annoying and so can the noise of some of the machines. Chatter can interfere with a surgeon’s concentration too.
Thirty years ago the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that surgeons were actually more effective if they listened to Mozart. Recent studies however, show that they prefer class rock! Surgeons report that the music helps them focus… zero into the case before them. That’s a good thing. Some surgery centers give the patient first choice on music selection. I’m guessing that once the anesthesia is working, the station may get changed though. Universally, all surgery centers state that when things become critical…the music gets shut off. That’s a good thing, too.
I learned about this when I did a surgical rotation as a medical student. I got scrubbed in and was trying to be inconspicuous. Surgeons can be scary at times. In the middle of the surgery I was asked two questions.
What nerve is this?
What is the name of this song?
I got both right. The long thoracic was the name of the nerve that he pointed to. “A Taste of Honey” was the name of the song. I got lucky on that one. Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass Band has some great jazz music. You should listen to it on YouTube.
Dr.Badaracco
