To evaluate the effect of wearing masks that hide a surgeon's facial features versus one that shows them. New patients with no prior relationship with the surgeon will be asked questions regarding communication and trust with the surgeon.
Surgeons within the University of North Carolina Department of Surgery will be recruited via
an email list-serve. This recruitment email will describe the study and have the consent
attached. If the surgeons are interested in participating they will respond to the email and
sign the consent form.
The project personnel will arrange to attend their clinic that has new patients scheduled. A
random group generator will be used to randomize the patients. The surgeons will be provided
either a transparent mask that demonstrates their full facial features or their typical mask
that covers their mouth, for each new patient visit. Following each visit, the surgeon will
tell the project personnel that they are complete and the project personnel will enter the
room, introduce the project, obtain verbal consent (enroll the patient) and if agreeable,
provide a brief verbal survey to the patient. The survey will entail confidential questions
regarding basic demographics, surgeon communication and trust, as well as an impression of
the masks. Survey answers will be Likert scale and open ended. Patients will also be given a
debriefing form at the completion of their participation. Surgeons will be asked their
impression of the mask at the completion of their participation. All data will be kept
confidential on password protected devices.
If patients do not agree to the study they will not be included. If surgeons feel
uncomfortable at any point they may withdraw from the study. Any patient demonstrating
concerning symptoms of an infection will not be included in the study.
The investigators expect to recruit 10 surgeons, with 10 patients each, totally 100 patients
(50 in each arm, clear vs. covered mask). Using Mann-Whitney U test, data will be analyzed
for differences in responses between the two groups. Demographic data for both the patient
and surgeon will also be analyzed. Patient comments will be qualitatively analyzed for themes
by trained researchers.
Behavioral: Transparent mask
A transparent mask worn by the surgeons in customary fashion will be used.
Other Name: ClearMask
Behavioral: Typical surgical covered mask
A standard covered surgical mask worn by the surgeons in in customary fashion will be used.
Other Name: Halyard
Inclusion Criteria Surgeon:
- Faculty within Department of Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill
- Must be English speaking
- Plans to see new in person visits in clinic
Exclusion Criteria Surgeon:
- None
Inclusion Criteria Patient:
- At least 18 years old
- Can understand and speak English without the use of an interpreter
- Has capacity to make independent medical decisions
Exclusion Criteria Surgeon:
- Has a prior relationship with the surgeon
- Has symptoms of a respiratory infection (cough, shortness of breath, fever)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
Ian Kratzke, MD, Principal Investigator
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Surgery