Operating Room

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Executive Summary:

The characteristics of the workplace in health care results in a high-stress level environment and sustain intense conflicts. More specifically in the operating room (OR) where two or more highly educated professionals are responsible for the life of a patient. Both, the surgeon and anesthesiologist bring different experience, beliefs, and assumption about their role in the OR. Based on a broad range of literature analysis, this paper focus on the conflict between surgeons and anesthesiologists. The paper highlights the importance of the problem and the cause of conflicts.  As it will be proven, disputes in the OR arise for multiple reasons. However, as a manager, the ability to identify the primary cause for conflicts make it possible to create a realistic plan for team resolution. With the collaboration theory and success factors of transformational leadership, a solution is offered to create a safe environment that encourages open communication, mutual respect, and cooperation between surgeon and anesthesiologist.

Team Conflict:

The OR is a complex workplace where two physicians, the surgeon, and anesthesiologist, should put their differences aside to achieve a common goal – quality patient care. In such complex, high stake and high-pressure environment conflicts often arise between both doctors. Conflicts can stem from a difference in information, values, experience, power structure and goals. Studies have found that 77% of Anesthesiologist believed their relationship with the surgeon was stressful and challenging. Physicians in the same survey agreed that any continuing disagreements in the OR contributed to the rise of conflict in the workplace (5).  Clashes in opinion and attitude in the OR can range from minor misunderstanding to physical altercations.  Dealing with or resolving conflicts can be the most stressful aspect of a physician’s job.  

Acknowledgment, Appreciation and Power Structure:

In a healthy work environment, surgeons trust anesthesiologists for the care of the patient before, during and post a surgical procedure. Before surgery, surgeon’s expectation is for the anesthesiologist to correctly evaluate the patient’s conditions and formulate an appropriate anesthesia plan for the surgical procedure. During operation, the anesthesiologist is responsible for managing any change in a patient’s heart rate, breathing or blood pressure.  In turn, the anesthesiologist trusts the surgeon to communicate relevant information about the patient. In the case that changes arise in the patient’s health; a surgeon is expected to listen to the recommendations of the anesthesiologist and efficiently communicate with each other (10). In a cohesive partnership, both would execute their responsibilities as a team. A good surgeon would listen to the anesthesiologist concerns and respect their instructions when the patient is at risk. Unfortunately, in the OR many disagreements and conflicts arise. Many attribute the causes of conflicts to the lack of communication, the difference in value, shortage in work facility, and conflict of interest. The above causes are not grasping at the heart of the conflict between surgeons and anesthesiologists. The cause of conflicts between both physicians is due to the lack respect for the role of the anesthesiologist in the OR which leads to a shift of power and in turn affect the surgeons’ leadership style and their inability to adapt to the alteration of power.