Abstract

The operating room is a challenging and stressful environment and is one of the most complex medical environments. Multiple specialties intersect with each other as well as with nursing staff and technicians. Overlaid are immeasurable hospital processes and patient interactions, all culminating in safe surgeries for patients placing their trust in their physicians and the hospital. Leadership is required to align staff and processes, all with the abovementioned goal of providing each patient with a safe and successful surgical outcome. This chapter examines the multiple processes involved and covers many of the ethical considerations involved in, for example, patient encounters, leadership, conflict resolution, and team building. The chapter is also aimed at investigating the ethics of international health programs and how personal and programmatic ethical challenges can be problematic to both hosts and visitors in low-resource settings and how to set up processes which are aimed at preventing or solving such challenges.