• A study of 1,000 U.S. surgeons found that:
  • 74% believe current tech in the operating room (OR) is inefficient and could impact the delivery of patient care. 
  • 73% say technology in the OR lags behind the everyday technology used in their personal life. 
  • 73% believe current technology limits them from performing to the best of their ability.
  • 62% have considered leaving the field due to feeling burnt out.  
• Surgeons surveyed see digital technologies that automate nonclinical tasks and enable seamless access to procedural data and insights, including through artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) experiences, as ways of unlocking time and enhancing capabilities in ORs across the country.  

June 20, 2024: Outdated and inefficient technology wastes an entire working month of surgeons’ time every year, according to a new study of 1,000 U.S.-based surgeons by Medtronic, a global healthcare technology leader.

The survey — the State of Surgery in the U.S. 2024 Report — revealed that, on average, U.S. surgeons are losing an average of four hours of worktime every week due to inefficient technology. These results closely mirror those seen in a UK surgeon survey Medtronic commissioned last year. 

Challenges with current OR tech  

The State of Surgery report revealed nearly three in four U.S. surgeons (74%) say technology in their OR is inefficient and could impact the delivery of patient care. Over two thirds (69%) say they are spending time outside of the hospital completing administrative tasks due to outdated technology. These inefficient and outdated technologies include recording surgical video on USB sticks, DVDs, and taking manual notes. 

While digital technology makes surgeons’ lives easier outside of work, the tech in their place of work is far behind. The majority (73%) said technology in the OR lags behind everyday technologies experienced in their personal life. Meanwhile, 82% say they must rely on technologies like WhatsApp™*, Zoom™*, or FaceTime™* to remotely share and view surgeries in the absence of dedicated surgical video streaming platforms. 

Surgeons are burned out  

The impact of these inefficiencies is clear. Nearly two in three (62%) say they’ve considered leaving the field due to feeling burnt out, while 73% say current technology limits them from performing to the best of their ability. 

Vipul Patel, MD, executive director of the Society of Robotic Surgery, commented: "As surgeons, we want to spend our time saving lives, not completing administrative tasks. Inefficient tech puts strain on our surgical teams every day — taking time away from patients and making it harder to deliver the best possible care and training.  

"The State of Surgery underscores what we've long known in the surgical community: digital technologies aren't just gadgets, but the key to our future healthcare system. The good news is healthcare technology is advancing and the future of surgery is happening now. But we must make advanced technologies more widely available — to enhance our own capabilities, free up time to spend with patients, and enhance the training available for the next generation of surgeons.”

Digital technologies present a big opportunity  

Integrated digital technologies were identified in the survey as a way to unlock surgeons’ time and, in turn, elevate patient care. 

Eighty three percent of surgeons surveyed believe technologies that enable real-time video to be securely live streamed have the power to improve surgery. Over a third (34%) say digital technologies (e.g. real-time aids and automation, such as AI and robotics) could help to reduce errors in patient care.

They also believe digital technologies like virtual reality (85%) and digital training platforms (83%) could help to improve overall surgical training. Over a third (36%) indicate live stream technology would enhance surgical training by enabling greater exposure to diverse surgical approaches and expertise.

Mike Marinaro, executive vice president of the Medical Surgical Portfolio at Medtronic, commented: “The State of Surgery in the U.S. provides valuable insights into the reality of surgeons’ working lives and is a stark reminder that inefficiencies in the OR are draining their time every day.

Surgeons’ time is best spent helping patients. At Medtronic, we’re harnessing the power of people and technology to address the very real challenges identified in the State of Surgery report. To get there, we are working with surgeons to equip them with tools that enhance, rather than limit, their capabilities to make surgery more efficient, connected, and intelligent.”

Notes to editors

Survey methodology:  

The survey was conducted May 17, 2024, to May 31, 2024, with a target audience of surgeons and medical practitioners from various specializations within both public and private healthcare sectors. Responses were received from 1,000 surgeons across four regions and 21 cities in the U.S. The survey was carried out by Censuswide on behalf of Medtronic.

More detail on the survey findings and respondents is available in the report. Full data set is available upon request.  

Medtronic published its U.K. State of Surgery Report in June 2023.  

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