This is a report of my experiences using A314 (alone) in the surgical department of a hospital.
Background: Our surgical department comprises approximately 110 people, ~85% of which are women. About 20% of the women are in their 20s. About 60% of the women are 30-49, and the other 20% are 50+. A solid 90% are married. All of the women have some sort of degree or certification. Surgical technicians have an associates degree, nurses have a BS in nursing (younger ones) or have a nursing degree (older ones). Nurses registered to administer anesthesia have an MS in anesthesia in addition to a BS in nursing.
Prior to my use of A314, I was at a social homeostasis with my coworkers, meaning they felt they knew what to expect from me in terms of work behavior and personality. I use the word ‘durable’ because we have a low turn-over of personnel in the OR, and their collective working model of who I am in the OR is stable. The surgical department is filled with strong personalities, and this is necessary for survival in the culture of surgery. You cannot be offended easily. The work everyone does is observed by many people, correction comes swiftly from many directions, and it is ultimately for the sake of the patient. You take the criticism and move on. Also, surgery redefines your sense of personal space. I spend hours working closer to the women of the OR than I have ever been in a bar, unless I’m dancing. This is important because it means that “hits” might present themselves much more in personality changes rather than a physical display, and this may take longer because they already have a sense of who I am.
I have now used A314 in the OR for 2 months. I take 1 drop and divide it equally between my index fingers and spread it around at the base of my neck. I cannot reliably use my chest or arms, because I spend the majority of my time in a surgical gown (full sleeves and gloves, cinched close around my neck), and I also wash my hands 6+ times a day to above my elbows.
Findings:
Young alpha women have softened their sassiness toward me, and have in-grouped me. Young beta women seek my opinion more. When not actually performing surgery, I notice young women standing closer to me, more often. 2 young women in particular will come up behind me and stand so that one of their breasts is tucked in the upper arm / rib cage / armpit area while they are talking to me. There is more giggling from these two when they’re around me. I have noticed increased possessiveness (with respect to the rest of the OR) in one specialty team that I work with a lot.
Effects on the 30-49 and 50+ age groups is more subtle, but I have definitely crossed the line between “noob in the OR” to “seasoned OR worker.” I am part of the “we” and “us” of the OR staff in their conversations. There have been no appreciable physical contact changes, but I think this is to be expected. I initiate eye contact more (self effects, below), and they are the ones to look away first, usually. The nurses that run the surgical scheduling board have transitioned from purely directing me from case to case to asking me which cases I’d like to be in on. The amount of work is the same, but my preference enters into the picture. The 50+ group has started asking more questions about my personal relationships (none, at the moment) and my future. I am a “fine, young man” to these women, and their conversations imply they would be happy for the young lady who catches me.
3 Surgeons (male) have started showing a closer mentor / student relationship towards me.
There are definite self-effects that A314 has. My initial test was on a Friday evening, so there would be no self-effect surprises at work. I had a mild “chemical headache” from it. Saturday morning, I applied it again and had a shorter-lived, mild headache (a few hours). Sunday, even shorter-lived. Monday, I had no headache. I do not wear antiperspirant, but I do wear deodorant. For the first week or so, i would pit my T-shirts out between home and the surgery locker room. This first week, I also had a strong facial flushing effect from A314. Both effects calmed down in an hour after application, and diminished over the 2nd week.
I began to initiate eye contact more and hold it longer without any social anxiety. I felt more confident. I spoke in a slightly louder, lower voice. I walked around in a more head-up, shoulders-back posture. It can be difficult to separate observer from participant in an experiment like this, but I maintain that I let myself act naturally and didn’t actively manipulate my behavior.
I do believe that the effects I observed are a combination of both the self-effects and the effects on others. In other words, my behavior and their perceptions. I see definite value in my using A314 in my professional setting, and am continuing to use it.
Future:
I want to add CTTM to the mix. I work in patient care, so I want to be approachable by patients and families.
