ABSTRACT
Being able to operate effectively under stress-inducing conditions is a hallmark of expertise, and developing such ability is important. To understand which factors play a part in achieving excellence in surgical performance, experienced surgeons from various specialties in Canada were once asked for their views and their preferred methods of preparing for surgical procedures. Of the three key factors, mental, technical and physical, mental preparation was regarded as the most important by 49% of surgeons. The technical and physical factors were considered to be important by only 41% and 10% of surgeons respectively. Thus, it was the appropriate mental preparation that made the biggest difference between desired and undesired surgical performance.1
