Tag Archive for ‘Communications Committee of the RAS-ACS’
Responding to, reflecting on, and moving forward from a surgical complication
Complications related to a stapled right gastroepiploic pedicle are the focus of this resident’s essay that urges surgeons to be transparent with patients and colleagues, reflect on errors, and forgive themselves.
Talk it out, and slow it down
Discussing reactions to cases involving surgical complications should not leave surgeons feeling embarrassed or denigrated, according to the author of this essay, who urges surgeons to express their feelings to achieve understanding and self-awareness.
Mea maxima culpa—Dealing with surgical complications
How surgeons conduct themselves when confronted with the reality of an undesirable surgery-related event is the focus of this essay. With each of these events, notes the author “rests an opportunity for the surgeon to be inquisitive, to be transparent, to be introspective, and to learn from the moment at hand.”
Consequences
This essay brings to life the emotional responses involved with surgical complications, both on the part of the surgeon and the family.
Complications are shared experiences
Surgeons have a complex relationship with their patients, one marked by the common goal of a positive outcome, observes the author of this essay, and when failures occur, surgeons and patients are urged to grieve and rebound together.
