Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42138796›Full record

ArticleIrish journal of medical science2026

The role of communication in the operating theatre: attitudes of anaesthesiology trainees.

Genevieve L Belanger, Conall Fitzgerald, Sinéad O'Shaughnessy

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Article in Irish journal of medical science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Genevieve L BelangerSchool of Medicine, University of Dublin Trinity College, 2 College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. belangeg@tcd.ie.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-2988-8919
Conall FitzgeraldDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland.
Sinéad O'ShaughnessyDepartment of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionEffective teamwork in the operating theatre is essential for safety and optimal patient outcomes. Extensive research has examined this topic from the perspectives of anaesthesiology consultant and surgeons; however, limited attention has been given to anaesthesiology trainees. Hence, this study explores anaesthesiology trainees' attitudes towards communication and leadership in the operating theatre.

methodsA questionnaire-based study was conducted among anaesthesiology trainees in Irish hospitals. The questionnaire was adapted from the Operating Room Management Attitudes Questionnaire (OMRAQ). Data collected included demographics, trainee attitudes toward communication and leadership, perceptions of team dynamics and communication-related errors. Responses were analysed through descriptive statistical analysis.

resultsA total of 74 trainees responded. The majority expressed a strong preference for collaborative leadership and open communication, with 95% of trainees supporting junior staff participation in decision making. However, 69% reported a lack of pre-operative briefings and 84% stated that post-operative debriefings were uncommon, demonstrating pitfalls in theatre communication. Furthermore, 85% acknowledged making errors due to poor communication, with over half reporting witnessing such errors from other members of theatre. Trainees supported the need for confidential error-reporting systems but expressed hesitation about openly reporting incidents.

conclusionAnaesthesiology trainees value teamwork and communication but perceive significant gaps between best practices and current hospital procedures. These findings highlight the need for systemic interventions, including structured communication training, leadership development, and the promotion of psychological safety within theatre. Addressing these areas could improve communication dynamics, reduce medical errors, and enhance patient safety.

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Anaesthesiology traineesCommunication skillsOperating theatrePatient safety

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.