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

I did meet one who was knob. Not to patients, but to staff.
He also used to leave a £1 coin on the trolley when he was finished as a "tip" for whoever was working with him.

There are plenty of knobby anaesthetists too! They only have to behave long enough to render the customer unconscious though so are a bit harder to spot. (Doi: anaesthetist….hopefully not a knobby one!).

I know plenty of surgeons - they're all lovely. But, really, they're just people - some good, some not so good. Exactly like everyone else, so there's no need to keep parading the lazy stereotypes.

I was reading an article on this that you might find interesting. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06/09/just-how-psychopathic-are-surgeons/

Surgeons might be doing all the cutting and operating etc, but anaesthetists are the ones keeping that patient going. The whole theatre team work together to keep the patient going too and to make sure they are safe. Yet some surgeons think they are the star of the show. I always liked to think that the actual patient was. They are the reason we were all there.
Anaesthetists are also the ones putting the patient at ease as they drift off. Need a great bedside manner and skill.

Some of them seem fairly normal but surgery does have very large proportion of arrogant people who seem to struggle with empathy. My kid had surgery as a baby, and his surgeon was massively arrogant. Which got me thinking about what sort of personality you need to cut into a baby. You would have to have zero doubt in yourself and your abilities and be 100% confident that you were the best person for the job. I dont think I'd manage the first incision.

Agree. Many are on the spectrum I've noticed.

This.

( except for orthopods….😊)

I’ve been under the knife a few times. I did once comment to my GP that I’d found a surgeon arrogant and he pointed out that you don’t really want someone to be cutting you open if they’re not sure of themselves. I think it does rather go with the job.

Yes I read on here once. That as a patient you would want the arrogant surgeon. Some of them are lovely and the ones that are a nightmare to work with are some of the best surgeons unfortunately.

Anaesthetist. theres good and bad as with all people. Theres a few characters (more likely in big tertiary hospitals) and some subspecialties more likely but most aren't

I don't think the cutting peoples skin is hugely different to us putting needles into people's necks to insert lines really

Ooh yes lawyers. All that ego about what is essentially admin.

I’ve had a lot of surgeries the past year or so, they’ve all been brilliant technically but across the board, the surgeons have been prickly, a little rude and just very abrupt/bored when talking to me.

the anaesthetists have always been absolutely wonderful, all of them, so so nice, great bedside manner.

I was a theatre sister for years before I retired. The interesting thing about the two arsehole surgeons in our hospital was that at the annual summer ball both of them were like little sheep when their wives were present. Totally under the thumb, it was amazing to watch.

I’ve worked with enough lawyers who have the same attitude. At least a surgeon is saving a life.

Im not super impressed with any of the cardio’s I’ve had to see 😐

I'm just grateful that there are people out there who have the skills and belief in themselves to take on the complex, intricate, pioneering surgeries that have changed so many people's lives. It doesn't surprise me that many people with the personalities to do this can't at the flick of a switch become a nice empathetic person with a wonderful bedside manner. They have to be hyper focussed and perfectionist.

Maybe be grateful for the skills they have rather than complain about the skills they don't.

Being clever, capable and worried in a world of stupid is exhausting.

Cut them some slack. It’s the only thing they need - unlike the rest of us.

@WildHazelCritic I think you will find that most people are pretty uncaring about how they treat people these days.
There are no behavioural standards any more, as everyone needs to be treated as "top dog".
At a minimum I would expect old-fashioned politeness, but nobody seems to remember what that is.
The times, they are a-changing.

I think it's a very tough job. And probably attracts a certain kind of person who can assess and take responsibility for their decisions. Mistakes can be fatal. If you read Henry Marsh's books (neurosurgeon) you can get a flavour of what it's like to do the work... He's haunted by his errors, and admits to arrogance.

So unless you display similar traits you lose out on experience and respect from your seniors. It can be really challenging to change that culture, egos breed egos. (But hopefully it is changing)

This is true in other high status professions too ime.

I have a good friend who is married to a surgeon and she thinks he is an arrogant arsehole.

No, I got half way through my training and had to drop out. I am still in touch with a lot of people in my cohort and only 2 are still ODPs. One is now a truck driver.

Didn't put that right. They save lives, this is why they can get away with murder < character wise >

I've met quite a few consultant surgeons over the last few years as a patient. Some of rhem were lovely but a lot of them were really rude. I had one give me scan results before I had even sat down. I have often felt looked down upon.