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Support for Surgeons Through Bereavement

21 August 2024

Surgeons are expected to be resilient. Long surgery hours and the ability to perform complex procedures under extreme pressure add to an image of a somewhat superhuman psychological strength. Of course, this is not the case, and surgeons need time off and support like everyone else.

One situation in which surgeons are expected to jump right back into work without a glance back is following the death of a colleague. We have recently heard accounts of surgeons being expected to return to work immediately following an unexpected death, giving them no time to process what has happened, or to grieve the loss off someone with who they may have spent hundreds of hours, under the most extreme of circumstances. This expectation is in stark contrast to many other professions and roles, in which a grieving colleague might be given time off or allowed flexible working following such an impactive event. Many organisations in this situation offer support and care for teams who have worked with someone who has past on. Why shouldn’t surgeons be offered the same level of understanding and support?

CBS psychologist-in-residence, Dr. Richard Sherry, says:

“It is crucial to acknowledge and address the impact of loss, regardless of the profession of the individual. The death of a colleague can be a profoundly destabilising event, especially in the high-stakes environment of surgery. This loss isn't just the absence of a person but the loss of a relationship that may have spanned decades. Acknowledging that feeling emotions around loss is part of a meaningful life is a healthy and important approach. We must be careful, in our placing of surgeons on a superhuman pedestal, that we are not undermining these feelings, or making them shameful. It is essential to nurture a compassionate environment; how else are we to ensure that we have a healthy and well-led health service in which care can be stablished? It boils down to a simple statement: you need to care to care. By creating a space in which feelings are understood and allowed, we create a healthier, more resilient healthcare system where the quality of care is sustained.”

CBS advocates for a working environment in which bereavement is acknowledged with compassion and support. Putting surgeons on a pedestal as exceptionally resilient in the face of trauma adds to the dangerous misconception that they can deal with anything. Studies suggest that surgeons are notoriously bad at asking for help, and is it any wonder when our inflated expectations of their resilience make it feel unnecessary to do so, regardless of the traumatic experiences they may encounter (and, arguably, are more likely to do so)? 1. We often speak of systemic change and seismic shifts, and recognising surgeons as human beings is a robust first step in the right direction.

CBS president, Mark Henley, says:

“Expecting a traumatised surgeon to return to work with no acknowledgment, support, or compassion, is unacceptable.  Although the NHS is under pressure and financial constraints often result in short-staffing, failure to acknowledge the impact of loss and offering adequate time off and support merely delays the inevitable. This will ultimately result in longer periods of absence and poor psychological health, which in turn affects overall performance. As in any workplace, staff mental wellbeing is paramount and is neglected at the expense of all concerned. In surgical practice this carries particular physical and emotional risks to our patients.”

CBS offers all members access to the counselling and support, which provides professional counselling to help you navigate the emotional challenges that come with bereavement. The service supports you in processing your grief, ensuring you return to work with coping strategies that can help you through difficult times.

In addition to counselling, our Surgical Advisory Service (SAS) is available to offer guidance and support. If you find that your request for time off is not being adequately supported by your employer, SAS can help advocate on your behalf.

Join CBS here.

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