New Framework Aims to Combat Surgeons’ Mental Fatigue

A novel framework, the Flush Model, addresses mental fatigue’s impact on surgeons’ cognitive performance and patient safety. By likening mental fatigue to a water tank, it identifies key components such as fatigue accumulation and recovery rates. The model proposes practical recovery strategies, including mindfulness, microbreaks, and ergonomic adjustments, to enhance cognitive resilience during surgery. Advocates suggest integrating these principles into training and institutional policies to bolster patient outcomes and reduce errors stemming from cognitive strain.