Of the 316 patients who completed the questionnaire, 85 percent agreed that an intern could participate in their surgical procedure and 94 percent agreed that a resident could participate.
More than 90 percent of patients wanted to know if the procedure was the trainee’s first operation and just over half said knowing it was would make them “less likely to consent.” When patients were provided with a number of specific real-life scenarios in which trainee participation increased while staff surgeon participation decreased, they were less likely to consent to trainee participation.
The researchers expressed concern that full disclosure of trainee participation might negatively affect trainee education because large numbers of patients might refuse to allow trainees to participate.
Related Articles on Surgery:
10 Steps to Improve Quality and Efficiency in Cataract Surgery
FDA Approves Laser Med Centers Laser for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Florida’s New Vision Surgical Center Achieves AAAHC Accreditation
