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

[WildHazelCritic]

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?

Married a pilot - have also divorced said pilot! He was controlling, self centred and narcissistic. Doesn’t mean that they all need to be tarred with the same brush though

I agree, I can absolutely understand the need for emotional detachment when doing high-stakes work. Same with pilots, as you said. But my post wasn’t about whether they care, it’s about how they treat the people around them. Confidence and emotional distance are one thing but rudeness, dismissiveness or acting like others are beneath them? That’s what I think crosses the line.

I completely agree that anaesthetists are much nicer to work with.

Out of curiosity @XenoBitch, are you still an ODP? Im one and currently looking to get out.

I have worked in all capacities around Drs and I can tell you 100% all of them are narcs. The worst offenders Orthopaedics, Gastro the most paycho and sexist (men).
The nicest are Anesthetists although they are auper chill and bit rialy in theaters.... Sat reading the paper and liatening to classical music while someone has GA 😱 i never got used to that. Watching surgeons earing jelly beans from a sick bowl in theaters. Watching an Orthopod having a tantrum and kicking all sterile equipment across theaters while a patient was under GA. The list goes on......

This. I think surgeons have to be arrogant - without that confidence, how could they do what they do?

The way to deal with it to make sure there are other people as part of the surgical team who can keep that arrogance in check.

You need lots of different people with different skills to save/improve a life. The surgeon may have the most skilled job in that team, but they're not the only person in that team.

The loveliest surgeons I have ever met as a group are the ENT surgeons. I asked a group of them once who they thought the cleverest doctors were, and they said the nephrologists.

Most of the surgeons I would drop behind a desk to avoid interacting have been lovely to patients.

I’ve only ever met heartwarmingly wonderful oncologists, but I’ve never met a haematologist I find easy to talk to.

I think all of this is much more about me than them…

Physios are so incredibly underrated.

My son was in hospital for 10 months and needed intense physio after 7 weeks in intensive care, compartment syndrome in his right leg and septic shock which almost cost him his right leg.

He was discharged in January this year and I'm still in touch with his main hospital physio who loves getting updates about him. Always ready to give my son a massive hug if she sees him when we're at clinic too.

Only came into contact once with a cardio surgeon. Horrible person. Arrogant, rude and egotistical.

If they do their best to save Iives and not trying to commit murders instead, I'll let then get away with a character murder

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.

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

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.

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

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 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.

@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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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.