Civility is the foundation of patient safety in surgery

Working in the operating theatre can be stressful and lead to heightened emotions, frustration, and short tempered outbursts. In most cases these minor disruptions are rapidly resolved with no effect on patient care. However, several recent high profile cases have shown longstanding unprofessional and overtly abusive behaviours by a small number of surgeons that have caused lasting harm to both patients and staff.123 More damaging still, these behaviours were allowed to continue unchecked for many years before whistleblowers eventually took a stand.There is also evidence of more widespread problems. National surveys of medical trainees and NHS staff consistently show evidence of bullying and harassment in high stress areas such as surgery, emergency care, anaesthetics, and general practice.45 The Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery shone a light on the prevalence of sexual misconduct in the surgical workforce, arguing that it reflected continued power imbalances in a male dominated environment.6…