Page 6 | To think that surgeons, while obviously skilled, often have a certain arrogance that makes them difficult to work with?

WildHazelCritic · 2025-08-03T20:27:26+00:00

I completely respect the level of skill, training, and responsibility that comes with being a surgeon but I’ve noticed that many seem to have a certain… arrogance? Of course, confidence is necessary in that field but at what point does it tip over into being dismissive or difficult to work with? I’ve heard stories (and witnessed myself) of surgeons being rude to colleagues, unwilling to take input, or acting like they’re above everyone else. Is this just part of the culture or do some surgeons lean into the “god complex” stereotype a little too much? AIBU to think their attitude could sometimes use a reality check? Or is this just a misunderstanding of what the job requires?

Mercurial123 · 03/08/2025 22:56

I've had three major surgeries. Two were humble and kind. One was arrogant. Have no idea how they treated their colleagues.

Praying4Peace · 03/08/2025 22:55

Greybeardy · 03/08/2025 21:33

Just like in every profession, there are good ones and more difficult ones.

This, not unique to surgeons

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:54

XenoBitch · 03/08/2025 22:53

You sound angry. But your life was in their hands.

If everyone around you is a cunt, then maybe it is you.

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nope, just the anesthesiologists, as I quite clearly stated.
The surgeons, nurses, etc all excellent every time, thankfully.

XenoBitch · 03/08/2025 22:53

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:52

every anesthesiologist I've ever met, as a PATIENT being put to sleep has been a total cunt. Every single one.

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You sound angry. But your life was in their hands.

If everyone around you is a cunt, then maybe it is you.

Whitegrenache · 03/08/2025 22:53

Ah speaking as a medical rep who has spent over 25 years pandering after each surgeons whim and having had the weekend from hell supporting spinal surgeons complete trauma cases I can indeed confirm some of them are absolutely awful and a few are absolutely lovely. However I do think majority have some sort of autistic traits. I also have a theory that some of them were either bullied at school or are hen pecked at home that the come into theatres and treat staff and the reps like absolute shit to make themselves feel better. It’s never their fault and the whole world revolves around them. On the other hand Anaesthetic doctors are generally lovely and very very clever. I do get surgery is high pressure but they need to have much better training to handle team work and communication under pressure during their career

4andnotcounting · 03/08/2025 22:53

VeryAwkwardForMe · 03/08/2025 21:40

I personally believe most of the male surgeons are autistic. With how skilled they are yet still struggle with communication and lack of empathy... it really makes sense to me. I could be well wrong. That's just what I believe.

My dh neurosurgeon came across as a bit on the spectrum to me, when we had the post op meeting.

TempestTost · 03/08/2025 22:53

Yes, they are famous within medical circles for being jerks and arrogant, and often having poor bedside manner as well.

Obviously NAS, some are lovely.

It's because you have to have a significant level of self-confidence and emotional detachment to saw through a leg or replace someone's heart or cut into their brain. Too much empathy can be detrimental.

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:52

countbackfromten · 03/08/2025 22:52

Hahaha….my medical degree, FRCA examinations and years of training say differently. But good to see my profession reduced to being technicians in your eyes.

Oh and it isn’t sleep - I could put you to literal sleep talking about pharmacology and physiology and physics and clinical measurement and many other aspects of science that goes into what I do but the drugs I give to my patients isn’t causing sleep, it is so much weirder than that!

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blah blah blah semantics

BruFord · 03/08/2025 22:52

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:48

what do they do, beyond putting people to sleep and waking them up? And sometimes being a total asshole in the process?

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@Flyswats No idea, I don’t work with them. But they are doctors who complete specially training.

countbackfromten · 03/08/2025 22:52

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:44

Anesthesiologists literally just put people to sleep, keep them asleep and then wake them up.
its basically a technicians job or an RN's job but because it has high risk associated with it, aka "death" you have to call them doctors.

Hahaha….my medical degree, FRCA examinations and years of training say differently. But good to see my profession reduced to being technicians in your eyes.

Oh and it isn’t sleep - I could put you to literal sleep talking about pharmacology and physiology and physics and clinical measurement and many other aspects of science that goes into what I do but the drugs I give to my patients isn’t causing sleep, it is so much weirder than that!

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:52

XenoBitch · 03/08/2025 22:50

Haha, are you having a laugh?

The patient's life is literally in the hands of the anaesthetist. They are not just "keeping them asleep". They are monitoring all of their vital signs, administering meds etc.
The surgeon could not do their job if the anaesthetist was not doing theirs properly.

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every anesthesiologist I've ever met, as a PATIENT being put to sleep has been a total cunt. Every single one.

XenoBitch · 03/08/2025 22:51

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:48

what do they do, beyond putting people to sleep and waking them up? And sometimes being a total asshole in the process?

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Yes, they put people to sleep and then fuck off into town for a Starbucks and reading the paper. Then they come back to wake the patient up.

Grapejam · 03/08/2025 22:51

LunaTheCat · 03/08/2025 21:37

No… surgical culture is changing.
There are increasing numbers women in surgery … there is strong evidence that they are better.. less complications, decreased mortality… if you have a choice use a woman every time.
I have just had eye surgery with a fantastic woman ophthalmologist.
Where I work ( medic) the surgeons are lambs and the paediatricians have a reputation of being utter pricks !

Was this at the RVI newcastle by any chance ?

Thedogscollar · 03/08/2025 22:51

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:44

Anesthesiologists literally just put people to sleep, keep them asleep and then wake them up.
its basically a technicians job or an RN's job but because it has high risk associated with it, aka "death" you have to call them doctors.

You literally have absolutely no clue what an anaesthetists job entails. Your ignorance is astounding.

XenoBitch · 03/08/2025 22:50

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:44

Anesthesiologists literally just put people to sleep, keep them asleep and then wake them up.
its basically a technicians job or an RN's job but because it has high risk associated with it, aka "death" you have to call them doctors.

Haha, are you having a laugh?

The patient's life is literally in the hands of the anaesthetist. They are not just "keeping them asleep". They are monitoring all of their vital signs, administering meds etc.
The surgeon could not do their job if the anaesthetist was not doing theirs properly.

Original poster

WildHazelCritic · 03/08/2025 22:49

Makingitupaswegoalong · 03/08/2025 22:43

Could you cut into another person? I don’t think I could. I think their talents are also their flaws, like most of us.

You’re right - I couldn’t do what they do either and I completely respect the skill and nerve it takes. And I agree that their strengths can also be their flaws - confidence, decisiveness, detachment… all necessary but sometimes it spills over into arrogance or lack of empathy. It’s just the way those traits show up that can make working with them difficult.

OP posts:

Thedogscollar · 03/08/2025 22:48

Greybeardy · 03/08/2025 22:40

It’s really interesting how many people mention behaviour doesn’t matter so long as they’re good surgeons…. behaviour can make a big difference to outcomes because the wider team are more likely to make mistakes when someone’s being a twit - the ‘civility saves lives’ movement recognises the impact that ‘difficult’ behaviour has and is aiming to improve that.

Edited

100% agree with this. Human factors and civility to your team members are a huge thing in the NHS and can impact the outcome in many emergencies.

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:48

BruFord · 03/08/2025 22:47

@Flyswats They have medical degrees and are fully trained doctors! I know a couple IRL.
Seriously, don’t downgrade what they do.

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what do they do, beyond putting people to sleep and waking them up? And sometimes being a total asshole in the process?

BruFord · 03/08/2025 22:47

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:44

Anesthesiologists literally just put people to sleep, keep them asleep and then wake them up.
its basically a technicians job or an RN's job but because it has high risk associated with it, aka "death" you have to call them doctors.

@Flyswats They have medical degrees and are fully trained doctors! I know a couple IRL.
Seriously, don’t downgrade what they do.

Rewis · 03/08/2025 22:46

Yes. Like with any profession there are good ones and bad ones. But on average the biggest assholes I work with within the hospital are doctora, especially surgeons. Especially under 50yo. Once they are older, they mellow a bit.

Hierarchy in hospital is fascinating. I have to work with the hospital care staff daily and the hierarchy changes from ward to ward. Some senior doctors are arrogant know it all and refusing cooperation and demanding that everything goes through them. Some just say that nurses know beat cause they spend the most amounts of time with patients and will give opinion if needed to consider the bigger picture.

Original poster

WildHazelCritic · 03/08/2025 22:45

IEatPastaWithASpoon · 03/08/2025 22:39

Are you a trainee paramedic by any chance?! I was in hospital with my son last week and overheard this exact complaint from a trainee paramedic to a doctor she was shadowing. To be fair, I overheard the surgeons conversation beforehand and he did sound unbelievably arrogant!

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Not a trainee paramedic but that’s interesting to hear! Sounds like it’s not just me then. I get that surgeons need confidence but sometimes it really does come off as straight-up arrogance. Makes you wonder how many people have had the same reaction but just don’t say it out loud…

OP posts:

Flyswats · 03/08/2025 22:44

Anesthesiologists literally just put people to sleep, keep them asleep and then wake them up.
its basically a technicians job or an RN's job but because it has high risk associated with it, aka "death" you have to call them doctors.

Mondaytuesdayhappydays · 03/08/2025 22:44

Watch the ex Surgeon Jed Mercurio (chap who later did Line of Duty) series ‘Bodies’ from the early 2000’s
eye opener….

Makingitupaswegoalong · 03/08/2025 22:43

Could you cut into another person? I don’t think I could. I think their talents are also their flaws, like most of us.

BruFord · 03/08/2025 22:40

I had orthopedic surgery last year and my surgeon was lovely, I could tell that his staff liked and respected him. My Dad’s ophthalmologist was v. kind when Dad had his cataracts removed. Dad was v. nervous for the first op. and he really calmed him down.

But, one of my friends is an anaesthetist and she’s said that some are arrogant horrors!