Medical Student Presyncope and Syncope in the Operating Room: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Although true loss of consciousness (syncope) among medical students in the OR is uncommon, presyncope is a highly prevalent phenomenon. It is most prevalent in female students, and may have a negative effect on overall student well-being. All students may benefit from normalization of this very common experience by staff surgeons or residents. Formal instruction regarding the common symptoms, triggers, and methods for preventing presyncope and syncope is an essential supplement to the current preclinical medical curriculum.