According to one researcher, as much as 45 percent of adverse events in medicine are related to surgical patients with 35 to 66 percent of the events taking place in the operating room. People in Iowa who may be having surgery in the near future may be interested in learning that while the technical skills of surgeons are vastly important, the skills that determine how surgeons may react when something unexpected occurs are those that are not technical.
The characteristics of the ideal surgeon include ambition, ability, adaptability, attitude and humility. Having enough humility is necessary for surgeons to be able to admit that they made a mistake or do not know the answer to a problem.
Additional abilities that are also important include cognitive and interpersonal non-technical and technical skills. With cognitive skills, people are able to evaluate the events that are occurring around them by collecting information and considering the situation. The use of cognitive skills allows individuals to identify their options and decide which one is the best.
The manner in which individuals are able to react under stressful conditions is also important. A successful outcome depends on how individuals respond to failure.
According to the researcher, it is imperative that surgeons are able to acquire cognitive skills, including decision-making, information collection and situation assessment. These skills should be obtained in the manner in which pilots are able to use flight simulators.
A medical malpractice attorney may be able to obtain compensation for clients who sustained injuries due to surgical errors. Surgeons and the medical facility at which they are employed may be sued for permanent disabilities, pain and suffering or worsened medical conditions that resulted from an error that occurred during surgery. If necessary, a lawyer may litigate to protect the rights of injured patients.