What is the "right" answer?

[PureLifeRN]

I know there are many threads on how to deal with abusive surgeons in the real world, but I am hoping to land an OR interview soon and I wanted to know what is the answer that the OR NM wants to hear during an interview? What is the "correct" way to deal with an abusive surgeon during a surgery? Just take it till the surgery is over then confront the surgeon? Deal with it then? whaddya think?

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

It depends on the circumstance. If the surgeon is elbow deep in a belly and yells at you for something, you know that it is totally stress related, and you shouldn't get your feelings hurt. If he yells at you for something dumb that you did, then you should fix the problem, go about the surgery as calmly as possible. If he is attacking you personally, then all bets are off. Finish the surgery (it is about the PATIENT, not about the surgeon or the staff in the room), and then without emotion and only using fact, speak to him about it. If he is unwilling to listen, write an incident report and move on. Let legal take care of it from there.

[AprilRNurse]

If it's something putting patient at risk... you have to have a backbone, and essentially make sure you are NOT intimidated by the surgeon. Otherwise, let it go, attempt to talk calmly to the surgeon afterwards- and/or write up a report.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Yup. Totally agree with April.

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

i think the answer you would want to say is that you would never engage in an argument with the surgeon while the case is gong on... you simply get what they are asking for without losing your temper....

[BridgetJones]

I didn't get anything as specific as "how would you handle an abusive surgeon during a case?"...they just asked me, "How are you with handling conflict?" I said something to the effect of I try to stay professional and stick up for myself. But honestly, Patient First and Professionalism are principles that will help you navigate a variety of situations. There really is no one "right" answer.

[Mr. & Mrs. RN]

I think the answer they want to hear is that you would stand your ground by letting the surgeon know that they are crossing the line and that they need to stop. If the abuse continues past a verbal warning, they should be reported to management. They want to know that you're not going to be a tattle tale, but that you are also not afraid to ask for help from management.