Background

Stress is an adaptive response that has evolutionary advantages with regards to survival. However, these autonomic and somatic responses have long been considered to have a detrimental impact on information processing leading to impairment of function (1). One area that has been studied is performance anxiety (PA), which is the reaction to performing a task under a perceived pressure (2).
PA has been researched widely within professional sports and amongst musicians for many years and is perceived to be an unpleasant emotion that can negatively affect self-esteem, self-confidence and ultimately subsequent performance (3). The necessary skills of dedication, focus and ability to perform under pressure have lead to comparisons between surgery, professional athletes and musicians (2). In recent times surgeons have become more interested in the effects PA can have on operative skills. (4). Athletes often have coaching and training specifically on the mental aspects of performance as this positively impacts on self-confidence and increase competitive ability (3).
The Royal College of Surgeons have released a series of articles investigating the effects performance anxiety can have on surgeons and technical outcomes (2). However this is still a relatively new field and more research is required to investigate its prevalence amongst surgeons and whether intervention is required to optimize levels of PA amongst surgeons.
There is very little data available in relation to the prevalence of performance anxiety amongst otolaryngologists. Quantifying this effect is important to raise awareness of the issues associated with PA and to consider what training may be instigated so as to reduce its burden.
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of performance anxiety amongst otolaryngologists and whether this is affected by grade or sex of surgeon.