On TBBB this week, we go 'pink flamingo' with our two esteemed non-urology colleagues: James Tomlinson (consultant spinal surgeon and human factors lead at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals) and Peter Brennan (Professor of Maxillofacial Surgery and PhD in Human Factors). Both are leaders in the field of human factors and non-technical skill research and join us to discuss their role in surgeon performance and operating room dynamics. 

We kick-off by discussing how Peter and James first became involved in human factors research/leadership, why they feel this is such an important concept to embrace as a surgeon, and how understanding human factors can help us to optimise performance. Peter highlights the HALT (Hungry, Angry, Late, or Tired) mnemonic and how surgeon awareness of these physiological/psychological issues can assist in error reduction. In the remaining discussion, we deep-dive into operating room hierarchy, training in human-factors, lessons from other professions, the role of simulation, and the GMC's stance on human error. 

Don't make your operating room like a Monty Python sketch! 

NOTSS Website: https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/professional-support-development-resources/learning-resources/non-technical-skills-for-surgeons-notss

CAP737 Handbook: https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/20230222%20CAP737%20Flight-crew%20human%20factors%20handbook%20E2.pdf