de Santibanes E, Bushnell V C, Pellegrini C. Bull Am Coll Surg 2018; 103: 10–16.

Putting the patient first and doing no harm, technical skills and a lack of haste (operating slowly but thinking quickly) could be seen as the givens of an excellent operator.

However, other criteria give a wider view of what constitutes the best surgeon. Mentorship provides guidance, advice, support and counsel and many clinicians will have several mentors with different skill sets. The best surgeons do not feel weakened by asking for help, rather they are strengthened to improve patient care. Equally they are willing to pass on their skills to the next generations, with no sense of 'egotism and senseless narcissism.'

The motivation to improve comes from continuous learning and a willingness to audit and analyse results. A sense of enjoyment helps, as does being surrounded by a good team. The best surgeons care about their teams, encourage them and give them praise.

It is easy to become drained and bitter with the realities of the work but it is essential to learn the art of letting go, recognising that others have need of you too, as parent or spouse, brother or sister, son or daughter, or friend.