Operating theatres
Neurodiversity awareness in operating theatres
Effective communication is essential for a smooth day in the operating theatre. It also plays a vital role in preventing patient harm, minimising never events, and reducing human error. Dora Bilan examines aspects of intraoperative communication – specifically focusing on the contribution and expertise of neurodiverse individuals, and analysing the surgical team behaviour.
Neurodiversity in the workplace presents challenges around identification, as individuals with diverse cognitive functions may have concerns about potential discrimination and differential treatment. Recognition of the terminology and understanding of behaviour patterns can improve communication at work and in daily life for everyone. The following information has the potential
to significantly alter the perspectives of both employees and employers when it comes to task delegation for individuals with diverse cognitive functions and varying perceptions of workplace scenarios. When going through the topic of neurodiversity and examining the available information, it becomes pertinent to ponder the specific definitions of terms such as neurodiverse, neurotypical, neurodivergent, and neuroinclusive. The terminology surrounding these concepts can often be confusing, but as we continue to conduct more thorough research, we aim to gain a clearer understanding of these.1
Neurodiversity terminology Neurodiversity is defined as differences in brain function that not only affect mental health but also behaviour. People who process information in a way that’s considered typical may be called neurotypical, while those whose processing is atypical may be viewed as neurodiverse.2 The word itself was first originated by Judy
Singer in the 1990s, who herself was on the Autism spectrum. The term addresses the spectrum of Autism, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), dyslexia, Tourette’s, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and others. Presently, neurodiversity is becoming a more common subject area for discussion.3 It is worth mentioning that acquired
neurodiversity changes a person’s brain function following an injury, disease, or health condition. This can be caused by brain injury which changes cognition and behaviour, but also
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applies to mental health conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD), Complex Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), depression and anxiety, and many more.4
Understanding individual conditions can bring a unique strength to professionals’ working environments and teams. In the high- pressured environment of the operating theatre, communication between team members is crucial and must be effective and efficient to protect patient safety.5
Neurodiversity in medical professionals Medical professionals who are aware of their cognitive differences can have a massive impact on decision-making, problem-solving or organising day-to-day surgical planning. A unique and analytical process of thinking can lead to innovative ideas and exceptional performance. Processing of information and the interpretation of verbal or non- verbal communication can depend on many factors, including cultural background and neurodiversity. It can be disturbed by a lot of factors in the medical environment such as noise or receiving too much information at once.
Nevertheless, the demanding and fast-paced
nature of healthcare, especially in the operating theatre, can create conflicts, disputes and challenges for neurodiverse professionals. Furthermore, effective communication should not only be focused on the patient, but also on members of a team,6 relationships is crucial.7
where building professional Maintaining good
communication within the team can identify the risks and improve patient safety.5 There are several reasons for appropriate communication in operating theatres and medical professionals are highly aware of that. Effective message sending and receiving8 can be crucial for patient life and sometimes it makes a difference between life or death. Clear communication prevents errors, improves coordination within a team and helps to achieve goals. The operating theatre can present challenges to clear communication due to noise, dress code requirements (e.g. masks), as well as cultural and language differences.9 However, in a high-pressure environment,
such as an operating theatre, communication challenges – particularly for a neurodiverse person – also require consideration. Looking at the operating theatre, we can find a few
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