Non-technical skills are a major factor in surgical outcomes. Over 85% of adverse surgical events are due to ‘system errors’, unrelated to technical skill. 40% of intra-operative errors are related to failures in communication alone. The main categories of surgical non-technical skills include situational awareness, decision making, communication, teamwork and leadership.
Non-technical skills are not innate but require training and practice throughout a surgeon’s career. The EAU Working Group on Non-Technical and Soft Skills is developing a comprehensive curriculum. This will provide a programme of training to enable urologists to recognise, develop and optimise their non-technical skills and promote safe, effective surgery.
EAU Working Group Non-Technical and Soft Skills
Chair: Nicholas Raison (GB)
Members:
Iulia Andras (RO)
Cristina Bujoreanu (RO)
Ben Van Cleynenbreugel (BE)
Cyrille Guillot-Tantay (FR)
Stefan Haensel (NL)
Alessio Pecorario (IT)
Giorgio Russo (IT)
Gigi Zanovello (IT)
Interested?
If you want to join or organise a course on local level, please contact your national society or institution.
