Making mistakes is an inescapable part of being a surgeon, yet research shows that many surgeons feel ill-prepared for this reality and struggle with the deep personal impact that errors can have. Feelings of isolation and lack of support are common, and even conversations with colleagues can sometimes intensify rather than relieve distress.
Despite the centrality of this issue to our profession, it is rarely discussed openly. Many surgeons suffer in silence—leading to burnout, dropout, or reliance on unhelpful coping strategies.
The True Cut workshop offers a safe and supportive space for honest reflection and practical learning. It explores how we can build better coping strategies in ourselves and our colleagues, how we can respond compassionately to patients and families, and how we can support one another in the aftermath of an error. The workshop is designed to be equally relevant for experienced surgeons and those in training.
Target audience:
Surgeons at all levels and Trainees
Learning style:
The day centres on selected excerpts from True Cut, a verbatim play created from interviews with surgeons, their colleagues, and patients. Each scene serves as a starting point for facilitated small-group discussions, held in a safe, supportive, and confidential setting.
Scientific evidence is woven together with stimulating perspectives from the arts, encouraging thoughtful engagement and deeper reflection.
Aims & objectives:
To examine the ever-present possibility of mistakes in surgery, enabling participants to better understand and navigate their impact.
Learning outcomes
Participants will:
better understand the universal nature of mistakes in human activity
appreciate the deep and lasting impact of mistakes in surgical practice
share and normalise the immediate and late effects on theatre staff -
empathise with different perspectives - prepare themselves and others for the aftermath of mistakes
support each other to grow and thrive in practice despite and even because of mistakes
explore how we should respond to patients and families
encourage a more open culture within their own practice, fostering dialogue and candour in their own unit - make links to online and in person resources
The course covers the following areas of the Surgical Curriculum:
GPC 1 : Values and behaviours
GPC 2 : Communication and interpersonal skills. Dealing with complexity and uncertainty
GPC 5 : Teamworking
GPC 6 : Patient safety
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Event details
