Cultivating “non-technical skills” in surgeons
10.3760/cma.j.cn112139-20241009-00454
- VernacularTitle:外科医师“非技术性技能”的培养
- Author:
Yi MIAO
1
;
Chunhua XI
Author Information
1. 南京医科大学附属明基医院胰腺中心，南京 210019
- Keywords:
Education, medical;
Specialties, surgical;
Non-technical skills;
Physicians
- From:
Chinese Journal of Surgery
2025;63(1):28-31
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Surgical operations are one of the high-risk activities in modern society, and surgeons in this high-pressure environment require not only excellent technical skills but also well-rounded non-technical skills. Non-technical skills encompass key abilities such as situational awareness, decision-making, communication and teamwork, leadership, and stress management, as well as the capacity for error correction feedback loops, emotional intelligence, and adaptability to complex environments. These “soft skills” help surgeons to more effectively handle emergencies during surgery, optimize team collaboration, ensure patient safety, and increase the success rate of operations. Western countries have systematized non-technical skills into physicians’ training programs, while in China, further attention and promotion are still needed. By establishing comprehensive non-technical skill assessment standards and systematic training programs, the overall quality of surgeons can be enhanced, thereby ensuring patient safety, improving clinical outcomes, and fulfilling the professional mission of surgeons.
