Clear Surgical Masks Lead to Higher Patient Satisfaction

By ETHAN COVEY

Surgeons who wear clear surgical masks during patient encounters receive significantly higher marks for communication and trustworthiness, compared with colleagues who wear traditional surgical masks, according to a new study.

The report, which is the first study to evaluate differences in patients’ perceptions of surgeon communication based on their mask type, may have additional implications as the COVID-19 pandemic recasts the need for mask wearing during physician–patient interactions (JAMA Surg 2021 Mar 11. doi:10.1001/ jamasurg.2021.0836).

“With the changing health care landscape due to the pandemic, masks have become an even more important aspect of surgeon PPE,” said Ian M. Kratzke, MD, a physician in the Department of Surgery at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, and lead author of the study. “The findings speak to the importance for surgeons and OR personnel to recognize the barriers that masks create in effectively communicating and building trust with patients.”

A total of 200 patients were enrolled in the study, recruited from 15 surgeons’ clinics spanning seven surgical subspecialties. Clinic visits were conducted at a single academic medical center, with the patients rating the surgeons on communication, trust, and a number of quantitative and qualitative impressions regarding the two mask options.

Across the board, patient rankings were more positive for surgeons who wore clear masks.

Surgeons wearing clear masks were rated higher for providing understandable explanations (95% clear vs. 78% standard), demonstrating empathy (99% vs. 85%) and building trust (94% vs. 72%). Overall, patients preferred clear over standard masks (100% to 72%), expressed greater excitement for clear masks, and had more frequent complaints regarding interactions with doctors wearing standard masks.

“This study demonstrates that patients prefer to see their surgeons’ faces,” said senior author of the study, Muneera R. Kapadia, MD, an associate professor of surgery at UNC School of Medicine.

“Therefore, it is important to identify mask technology that allows this visibility, while maintaining safety standards and providing a comfortable mask-wearing experience.” Margaret L. (Gretchen) Schwarze, MD, an associate professor of surgery at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, who authored a corresponding commentary, agreed. “We do a lot of things to try to improve patient care,” she said. “This Figure. A standard covered mask (left) and a clear mask (right). study clearly shows that patients report much higher communication scores when the surgeon is wearing Image Courtesy of JAMA Network® © 2021 American Medical Association a clear mask. This seems incredibly valuable for our patients, and something we should probably do to support them in their surgical care.” However, surgeons themselves were less positive in their reviews of clear masks. Only 47% indicated they were likely to choose clear masks for future patient encounters. In addition, since the COVID-19 pandemic has increased use of masks, patients have grown more accustomed to them being worn during all interactions. Dr. Kratzke noted that while it is difficult to estimate the long-term effect of the pandemic on mask wearing, the study provides key information regarding ways health care professionals may adapt mask usage to satisfy patients. “While the scope of this study did not involve evaluating the situations that masks should be worn moving forwards, masks have and will always serve a role in the health care setting,” he said. ■

NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT

Introducing Symmetry Surgical’s new Bovie® Orca™ Smoke Evacuation Pencil. A universally powerful, fully integrated, ergonomic and low-profile device designed to reduce 55% more hazardous O.R. smoke plume than the leading competitor. The Bovie® Orca™ joins a comprehensive smoke evacuation portfolio that features smoke evacuators, electrosurgical pencil adaptors, remote activation switches and tubing for all surgical sites.