The foundation of efficient and safe working in operating theatres is effective team working. Dora Bilan highlights the need to support each other to achieve success – focusing on staff wellbeing and mental health.
How full is your bucket, meaning are you healthy? Are you hungry? Are you thirsty? Did you have enough sleep? Should we ask these questions at the pre-brief in the operating theatre? As healthcare professionals, we must prioritise our mental wellbeing and acknowledge it is an essential aspect of our overall health.
Starting the discussion of this topic more openly and supporting each other can lead towards better mental health. Becoming a healthcare professional requires focus on patient care and ensuring the safety of the working environment. Reaching these targets is a priority and sometimes wellbeing and mental health are not supported for the individuals delivering patient care. This article will explore the impact of operating theatre culture on the mental health and wellbeing of its members, and how this can affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the operating theatre.
Working as a nurse or medical professional, within a multicultural healthcare environment in different clinical areas, as well as the operating theatre, requires flexibility and self-awareness to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings that can lead to burnout. The term burnout was introduced over 40 years ago and is characterised as lack of motivation and reduced commitment. Bibi et al speak about the impact of stress and lack of self-care on the concept of burnout among healthcare workers.1
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