Skip to main content
RACS ASC 2026
Optimising Surgical Performance Through Effective Personnel Management: A Comprehensive Review for the Modern Surgeon
Poster
Presentation Description

Institution: Bunbury Health Campus - Western Australia, Australia

Personnel management, encompassing team dynamics, communication, and operational efficiency, is critical yet underemphasized in surgery. This review synthesizes evidence on these components and their impact on surgical outcomes in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and internationally. This paper synthesizes peer-reviewed literature on surgical personnel management components and their impact on clinical outcomes, patient safety, operational efficiency, and staff well-being. Emphasis is on evidence-based strategies, training interventions (e.g., simulation, Crew Resource Management), assessment tools, and non-academic competencies like practice management and leadership. Effective personnel management correlates positively with improved surgical outcomes. Stable, dedicated teams [1] [3] often show enhanced efficiency and potentially better clinical results, though evidence on complications and mortality is heterogeneous and requires further investigation. [2] Robust communication, using tools like checklists and briefings [5], is crucial for reducing errors [7], as communication failures are a leading cause of adverse events. [8] Non-technical skills (NOTSS) frameworks [10] offer structured approaches to training and assessment [12], though skills may need ongoing maintenance. [13] Positive leadership influences team culture and mitigates surgeon burnout [14], a significant issue impacting well-being and patient safety. [15] Non-academic skills like practice management [17] and committee work [19] are integral to the modern surgical role. A systematic approach to personnel management, with targeted training in technical, non-technical, and non-academic skills, is essential for optimising surgical performance and patient safety in contemporary healthcare, including within ANZ. [21] Ongoing development, implementation, cultural integration, and rigorous research are needed to address evidence gaps and enhance surgical care.
Presenters
Authors
Authors

Dr David Heath - , Dr Kyungchul Kim - , Dr Amyn Pardhan - , Dr Jacinta Cover -