ABSTRACT
For the surgical team to function at its best, and thereby stand any chance of delivering optimum levels of care consistently, there must be good communication, organisation and leadership within the immediate team and with others. To achieve this, you need to understand some aspects of the ways in which people function under these
OBJECTIVES
This chapter will help you to:
• understand the importance of clear and effective communication in surgical critical care
• appreciate some of the barriers to communication and ways of overcoming these
• develop an increased awareness of the leadership role, which the surgical registrar plays in the surgical team
• appreciate the value of personal and team organisation in facilitating this
• understand how people normally deal with adverse events and appreciate the frequency with which serious traumatic events can lead to stress reactions.
