Anaesthetist-Surgeon Conflicts at the Workplace: An Exploratory Single-Center Study from Egypt

Background: Professional relationship, in particular anesthetists with surgeons' has been identified as a major source of conflicts at the work place. Aims: We explored some of the perceived causes of conflict between the surgeons and anesthesiologists in a single center in Egypt. Method: A cross-sectional study of 67 anesthesiologists and 50 surgeons at Mansoura University Hospital, Mansoura, Egypt between March and June 2011. A self-reported questionnaire was used to explore 4 domains including 24 items covering causes of conflict. Results: There was highly significant difference between number of anesthesiologists and surgeons who considered the working relationships between them as disturbed (76.6% vs. 13.3%, p <0.001 respectively) . The most powerful significant predictors of conflicts between surgeons and anesthetists were ordered as patient pressure on surgeons, lack of regard to anesthetists' instructions, patients' unawareness with the role of anesthetists, poor information about patients, decision about the urgency of operation, lack of departmental coordination about surgical priorities, lack of out-patient anesthesia clinic and finally shortage of work facilities. Conclusions: We identified some causes that perceived by participants to trigger conflicts between them. Attention to these issues may help bring more harmony between surgeons and anesthesiologists at the work place. Key word: Conflicts; Surgeon; Anesthetist; Exploration, Egyptian, Hospital.