Table 1 Thematic analysis with overarching themes, subthemes and codes

Teamwork makes the dream work

Communications

body language; rudeness; curt; blunt; aggressive expression; (lack of) interdisciplinary communication; damaged rapport; politeness; courtesy; permission; dysfunctional rapport; effective communicator

Valuing others

different expectations, recognition of; (lack of) cohesion; mismatch of expectations and reality; mutual understandning of other team members; insight; appreciation of time, skillset; complimenting performance; interdisciplinary respect; acknowledgement of worth; overestimating importance of own specialty; dismissiveness; ignorance; snobbish; omitting/ignoring vs. recognizing colleagues’ expertise; demeaning; undermining

Team player

sharing the load; lack of involvement; trust issues with juniors; equal consideration; chaos; wider teamwork; (lack of) understanding for issues/challenges of others; tribalism; cohesiveness; interdisciplinary teamwork; (un)healthy relationships; (un)motivated team; laying the groundwork for good teamwork when critical; “survival of the fittest” approach; differences in emphasis on teamwork

Captain of the ship

Taking ownership

ownership of the situation; reluctance/willingness to communicate with patients/colleagues; senior mistakes and learning as a team; reputation; leadership; hypocrisy; shirking/assuming responsibility

Going the extra mile

holistic care; (shirking) responsibility; reliable; need to normalize exemplary behaviours; training in non-technical skills; willingness to teach/educate

The god complex

snide; snappy; autocratic; dictatorial; profanity; condescending; prestige protecting unacceptable behavior to be tolerated; undermining; imposing agenda; demeaning; embedded and accepted immoral character/actions; abuse of power; power plays; patronizing; adopting “surgical persona”

Strong foundations

The happy workplace

obstructive behavior; tense atmosphere; creating a positive work environment; kindness; reassurance; inclusiveness; joint responsibility; personal connections; building long-term working relationships; bitter relations; good working environment and culture; perpetuating negative/positive working environments

The flat hierarchy

flattening hierarchies; enabling issues to be raised; familiarity; closeness; “hands on”; interdisciplinary education; mean/aggressive to juniors; earning approved independence and competence; ability to speak up; steeper surgical hierarchy; gender differences