Working within a department & interpersonal colleague relationships, Human Factors and Wellbeing
Working within a department & interpersonal colleague relationships
It is essential for safe patient care that doctors work effectively with colleagues from other health and social care disciplines, both within and between teams and organisations. The orthopaedic surgeon must respect and value each person's skills and contribution. Professional standards set out by the General Medical Council must be followed at all times. The BOA supports a zero tolerance approach to any form of discrimination including harassment, bullying and victimisation.
Harassment can be defined as unwanted attention or behaviour that a person finds objectionable or offensive, that makes them feel threatened or uncomfortable, leading to a loss of dignity or self-respect. Examples include; derogatory comments about an individual or group, unfair treatment of an individual or group, attempts to unfairly exclude individuals or groups of people. Any form of aggressive, intimidating or insulting behaviour, either direct or indirect, towards an individual or group is an example of harassment. The most serious forms of harassment can lead to criminal prosecution.
Sexual harassment can take many forms including; unwanted and inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome sexual advances and sexualised language or innuendo. It includes continued and unwelcome requests for social activity outside work. Any harassing behaviour that occurs towards someone as a result of a rejected request for social activity in or outside work is an example of sexual harassment. Circulation or display of sexual material at work (written, pictures, sound files or video) is an example of sexual harassment.
Bullying is an example of harassment, where behaviour ridicules, intimidates or threatens people at work. It can take on many forms; aggressive behaviour or language, including shouting at colleagues, unfounded criticism of an individual, excluding individuals from a team, spreading malicious rumours or physical abuse. Any behaviour that undermines an individual through intimidation, ridicule or overly critical comments should be considered bullying.
Safeguarding individuals at work is an essential part of working together. You must tackle discrimination where it arises and encourage your colleagues to do the same. You should challenge the behaviour of colleagues whose behaviour does not meet the standards laid out above. Contact your line manager, Clinical Lead or Clinical Director to report this type of behaviour, following the reporting lines laid out in the organisations operating procedures and policies. Make sure you are up-to-date with your organisations written guidance on these matters.
There should be a zero-tolerance approach to any form of victimisation, where colleagues are treated less favourably by others because of ‘whistle-blowing’ action they have taken, for example after making a formal complaint or giving evidence against a colleague.
A good summary of these issues is presented by the GMC in the link below.
https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/professional-standards-for-doctors/leadership-and-management-for-all-doctors/working-with-colleagues
Human Factors
Human factors in healthcare involves enhancing clinical performance through an understanding of the effects of teamwork, tasks, equipment, workspace, culture and organisation on human behaviour and abilities. In particular it focuses on the application of that knowledge in clinical settings.
The term ‘non-technical skills’ encompass a number of 'soft skills' which include situation awareness, team working, leadership, communication, managing stress, coping with fatigue and decision making. Surgeons should be aware of this area of practice
By integrating human factors principles into orthopaedic practice, healthcare professionals can enhance patient safety, improve clinical outcomes, and optimize the delivery of orthopaedic care.
The BOA supports Human Factors approaches in healthcare to underpin current patient safety and quality improvement science, offering an integrated, evidenced and coherent approach to patient safety, quality improvement and clinical excellence.
Wellbeing
By fostering a culture of well-being, providing necessary resources, and encouraging open communication, both surgeons and managers can contribute to a healthier and more resilient workplace environment.
Numerous resources available on the Royal College of Surgeons and British Orthopaedic Association websites offer support during crises.
As managers and leaders, supporting staff well-being is imperative