chatting in OR?

[nychila]

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How much do surgeons chat with other medical personnel in the OR? (on average, because of course there will be variation)

I've read contrasting articles which say that surgeons are mostly introverts (very focused on their work & zone out the surrounding when working) and other articles that say they are mostly extroverts (which might mean they constantly chat with their surgical assistants and nurses about everyday things).

 

[Brain Bucket]

How much do surgeons chat with other medical personnel in the OR? (on average, because of course there will be variation)

Like you said it varies a great deal, not just by personality, but by culture. If we're discussing americans, in my experience there is almost always some chatter (after all, major surgeries aren't the shortest things in the world; people working with each other need to maintain some sort of relationship - you don't always work with the same people, and communication is key). Some of it is mundane (a lot of whinging/gossip), some is in order to teach.

I've read contrasting articles which say that surgeons are mostly introverts (very focused on their work & zone out the surrounding when working) and other articles that say they are mostly extroverts (which might mean they constantly chat with their surgical assistants and nurses about everyday things).

You have to step away from this overly simplistic way of characterizing people, besides which, your definitions of intr/extroverts is flawed.Look em up in a psych 101 text. I will cede that most surgeons tend to share some characteristics.

 

[VisionaryTics]

Usually constant conversation. Flits from case at hand to general bull****. If things get hairy, it quiets down and the few words are usually pertaining to the case.

But different attendings are different.

 

[Smurfette]

It just depends on the personality of the surgeon. Often, they work with a core group of people in the OR frequently so there is a fair amount of familiarity and small talk during the slower portions of the case or when prepping. We have some "big talker" surgeons and some more reserved surgeons, across all specialties. Some surgeons like to be the "star" of the show, others just want to do their thing and will have some polite conversation.

I personally am fairly reserved but am more chatty with staff around my age simply because I have more in common with them. It also depends what I am doing/difficulty of case/ability and personality of staff in room.

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

I once observed an operation where a good 2 hours was spent mostly quoting Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, and Old School.

 

[yehhhboiii]

I once observed an operation where a good 2 hours was spent mostly quoting Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, and Old School.

what kind of surgeons

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

what kind of surgeons

Transplant

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

As others have said, there is wide variation.

I do not believe that the variation can much be explained by specialty/subspecialty (eg I do not think that the orthopods spend a disproportionate amount of time discussing sports, as one might stereotypically hypothesize).

There are by contrast some surgeons in every field who prefer a very quiet, focused OR.

Similar variations can be found in music tastes. Some adamantly refuse music, some like it loud and make elaborate playlists.

 

[IlDestriero]

It varies dramatically.
For some guys if they are quiet, trouble is brewing. For others if they're talking the surgery will take literally twice as long, they'll actually stop to talk, so we chat up front and at closing/turnover.

 

[alpinism]

I once observed an operation where a good 2 hours was spent mostly quoting Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, and Old School.

The only thing that could make this better is if they referred to each other as dragon and nighthawk the whole time.

 

[Winged Scapula]

As I almost always have the same scrub nurse, we tend to talk a fair bit about our lives outside of the OR; I've seen pictures of her new house, know about her husband's health problems, her father's cancer, etc. I usually have a small core group of anesthesiologists so will chat with several of them about their families, vacations etc.

However, if something is difficult or there is a problem, I get quiet which is the signal for everyone else to be quiet.

As noted, the above will vary a great deal from surgeon to surgeon, case to case.

 

[Kaustikos]

What I've gathered is that none of the surgeons are "introverts" or "extroverts". They just do things different/have different attitudes. Knowing that beforehand helps out a lot.One thing I've learned is how amazingly helpful it is to talk to their resident/team/nursing/staff beforehand. Ask what they're like/how to interact with them. Don't take offense to ANYTHING.

Surgeons generally get into their own mindset/groove. If they're quiet/robotic during procedures - that's how they are when they're in the zone. If they're completely sarcastic/bitchy/mean, it's how they are.

They do chat. Sometimes it can be hilarious what you hear during procedures, but I'd keep your comments to yourself initially. Ex - a surgeon who starts bitching/making comments about the amount of fat they have to go through to do something. I don't feel like it's anything personal to the patient, but an obvious hindrance to their procedure/job. So they vent. It's funny.


Also - don't be THAT student. Be humble and do your job. Know what's expected but don't act like them giving you the retractor is like the greatest moment in your life. But don't act like you're miserable. I've found surgeons appreciate the help of a student who knows their place and does what the surgeon wants w/o interfering. I'm not saying "know your place" like being their bitch, but in the sense that you're there as-needed for their benefit. Whatever the personality - just know your place and don't do anything stupid.

 

[rodmichael82]

I pull out my iPhone, play a beat and start free stylin