Grit is one of those concepts (like the dreaded resilience) that has a specific meaning, but has become a buzzword in healthcare.

It’s the ability to persevere in the pursuit of a goal, in the face of obstacles - and it’s something all doctors have.

However that trait has benefits and drawbacks. It’s not necessarily fixed, but will depend on context, and it is measurable but not a very helpful measure in isolation.

In this episode, Clara Munro is joined by Declan Murphy and Ayisha Ashmore - and they sit down with neurourgeon and researcher Simone Betchen, who has measured grit in women surgeons, and helps them understand their grit scores.

Reading list

Grit in surgeons