M. Susan Hallbeck
Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Papers
13
Total Citations
576
H-Index
11
About
M. Susan Hallbeck is a leading researcher in surgical ergonomics, human factors engineering, and the intersection of technology and surgeon well-being. Her work has fundamentally shaped how the surgical community understands the physical and cognitive demands placed on operating room professionals across different surgical modalities—including open, laparoscopic, robotic-assisted, and endoscopic approaches. Hallbeck's most influential contributions center on quantifying intraoperative workload and musculoskeletal strain in surgeons. Her 2016 study employing wearable motion tracking sensors to assess robotic surgery workload (117 citations) and her 2018 human factors analysis of robotic systems "in the wild" (106 citations) established rigorous, real-world frameworks for evaluating surgical performance and safety. Her survey research documenting work-related pain among surgeons—including a landmark study of European endoscopic surgeons (89 citations)—brought urgent attention to occupational health risks often overlooked in surgical training. More recently, Hallbeck has expanded her scope to examine artificial intelligence integration in robotic surgery and the optimization of console ergonomics, reflecting her commitment to improving both surgical outcomes and surgeon wellness. Her body of work, spanning nearly two decades, has accumulated hundreds of citations and continues to influence surgical education, equipment design, and institutional policy worldwide.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2Human factors in robotic assisted surgery: Lessons from studies ‘in the Wild’106 citations · 2018
- 3Operating hurts: a study of EAES surgeons89 citations · 2018
- 4NASA-Task Load Index Differentiates Surgical Approach74 citations · 2019
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