Professionalism, Passion, and Surgical Education

He replied that while on a previous surgical rotation in another state, residents were “mean to one another and mean to the medical students.” He went on to say that the surgical residency program was very hierarchical and medical students “weren’t allowed” to speak with senior level residents let alone speak with the attending surgical staff. The student related being the target of verbal abuse and told of attending surgeons throwing instruments, swearing, and being verbally abusive in the operating room. Nursing staff were also disrespected and verbally abused on the floor.