This study compares attitudes toward error, stress, and teamwork between medical staff in operating theatres and intensive care units (ICUs) and airline cockpit crew. The survey, conducted in urban teaching and non-teaching hospitals in the United States, Israel, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, as well as major airlines worldwide, involved 1053 medical professionals and over 30,000 cockpit crew members. Key findings include: - Pilots were less likely to deny the effects of fatigue on performance compared to medical staff. - Most pilots and ICU staff rejected steep hierarchies, while only 55% of consultant surgeons did so. - High levels of teamwork were reported by surgical residents, consultant surgeons, and ICU staff, but not consistently across all roles. - Only a third of staff reported that errors are handled appropriately in their hospital, and a third of ICU staff did not acknowledge making errors. - Over half of ICU staff found it difficult to discuss mistakes due to concerns about personal reputation, malpractice suits, and job security. The study concludes that medical staff recognize the importance of error but struggle to discuss it effectively, and there are barriers to handling errors appropriately. Additionally, differing perceptions of teamwork and reluctance to accept input from junior staff are significant issues. The authors suggest that interventions similar to those used in aviation, such as crew resource management training, could improve teamwork and error management in medicine.This study compares attitudes toward error, stress, and teamwork between medical staff in operating theatres and intensive care units (ICUs) and airline cockpit crew. The survey, conducted in urban teaching and non-teaching hospitals in the United States, Israel, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, as well as major airlines worldwide, involved 1053 medical professionals and over 30,000 cockpit crew members. Key findings include: - Pilots were less likely to deny the effects of fatigue on performance compared to medical staff. - Most pilots and ICU staff rejected steep hierarchies, while only 55% of consultant surgeons did so. - High levels of teamwork were reported by surgical residents, consultant surgeons, and ICU staff, but not consistently across all roles. - Only a third of staff reported that errors are handled appropriately in their hospital, and a third of ICU staff did not acknowledge making errors. - Over half of ICU staff found it difficult to discuss mistakes due to concerns about personal reputation, malpractice suits, and job security. The study concludes that medical staff recognize the importance of error but struggle to discuss it effectively, and there are barriers to handling errors appropriately. Additionally, differing perceptions of teamwork and reluctance to accept input from junior staff are significant issues. The authors suggest that interventions similar to those used in aviation, such as crew resource management training, could improve teamwork and error management in medicine.