[Role expectations of various professional groups in the operating theatre].

BACKGROUND

Clearly defined professional roles have the advantage that team members know what they are expected to do and what their expectations of other professional groups are. For the definition of roles a distinct number of interactions between persons are a prerequisite. In a typical operations room (OR) team members are not constantly involved and are often exchanged. Interactions between personnel are not strong enough to fulfil the designing process of role shaping. In this study the possible substitution of defined roles by a distinct professional culture in an OR was studied.

METHODS

Using a shortened form of the SYMLOG questionnaire, 179 persons working in the ORs of 2 Swiss hospitals were interviewed. The three main professional groups in the OR setting were represented in this cohort: anaesthesia personnel (physicians and nurses), surgeons and operating room technicians and nurses. The SYMLOG questionnaire allows the rating of sympathy, influence and goal orientation of the professional groups.

RESULTS

Surgeons and anaesthetists had the strongest influence and higher ratings for goal orientation. In comparison, the influence of members of the nursing profession was less valued. All three professional groups rated themselves higher than in the perception of the other professional groups.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that in this analysis the role definition was not clear. Optimization is therefore possible which could reduce conflict potential and contribute to a higher productivity.