Are surgeons capable of introspection?

Author Department

Surgery

Document Type

Article, Peer-reviewed

Publication Date

8-1-2011

Abstract

The traditional action-oriented surgical personality, although essential in the service of solving emergent operative dilemmas, may serve as a barrier to introspection. Certainly, challenges of the twenty-first century practice environment, including time constraints, also distract from self-reflection. Without engaging in moments of introspection, surgeons risk not only abandoning dying patients in their time of need, but leave the surgeons themselves at risk for burnout and its consequences. The increase in the number of women surgeons, as well as the less heroic image of surgeons performing laparoscopic operations, may reorient traditional extroverted behavior toward a persona of professional grace. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Publication ISSN

0884-8734

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