Have you ever been yelled at by a surgeon, and if so, how did you or how would you handle that situation?

How to Answer
Entry Level
Answer Example
Experienced
Community Answers

Operating rooms can be very stressful places to work, especially during a critical case. Stressful situations sometimes bring out the worst in people, even doctors. The interviewer is looking for evidence that you are able to handle a stressful situation without contributing to it and causing the situation to escalate. This is important in any setting, but especially in a healthcare setting, such as a surgery room.

"I've not yet had the displeasure of being yelled at by a surgeon. I know that working in surgery can be a very stressful area, but I try to treat others with respect and appreciate the same. If a surgeon were to yell at me, I would like to think that I could speak calmly and ask him to allow me to be of assistance so that we can focus on the care of our patient, which should be our common goal."

"I have only been yelled at by a physician once. It was not a surgeon, but a staff doctor who was overseeing some residents in a facility where I was doing my clinical rotation. I was quite embarrassed, and I must admit, it made me angry. However, I did hold my composure enough to firmly, but respectfully, tell him that I was there to work and not be yelled at. I asked him to lower his voice and talk to me with the same respect that I gave him. He looked a bit shocked, but he did calm down and later apologized."

"Unfortunately, I have to say I have been yelled at more than once by a surgeon. When you've worked in surgery as long as I have, this type of situation happens. Surgeons are people, too. I know the stress that I feel as a surgical first assistant. I try to keep in mind that, although that behavior is not acceptable, an operating room is not the time or the place to discuss issues and try and resolve a conflict. The last time I was yelled at, I simply looked at the surgeon and told him that when we finished up caring for our patient and knew that all was well, we could address anything else he wanted to outside of the operating room privately. By the time the surgery was over, he was calmer and apologized not only to me, but to the other staff who were present. I think it's important to remember that we all are stressed at one time or another. We just have to learn not to take those emotions out on other people and not to react badly just because someone else is out of line."

Anonymous Answer

"Of course I have. I was not assisting in a manner that the surgeon preferred, and he yelled at me about it. I apologized and asked for help. The OR can be stressful, soI find it is not good practice to take things said during a case personally."

Rachelle's Feedback

It's terrific that you take this situation in stride and consider the environment vs. making it personal. Being yelled at could crush the average person; however, it's clear that you have the grit required to succeed in a high-stakes surgical environment.