How Should Complex Communication Responsibilities Be Distributed in Surgical Education Settings?

Bradley M Dennis; Allan B Peetz

doi:10.1001/journalofethics.2018.20.5.ecas2-1805

How Should Complex Communication Responsibilities Be Distributed in Surgical Education Settings?

AMA J Ethics. 2018 May 1;20(5):431-438. doi: 10.1001/journalofethics.2018.20.5.ecas2-1805.

Authors

Bradley M Dennis¹, Allan B Peetz²

Affiliations

¹ A trauma and acute care surgeon at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, where he is also the director of the trauma performance improvement program.
² A trauma and critical care surgeon at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, where he is also a member of the affiliated faculty in the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society.

PMID: 29763389
DOI: 10.1001/journalofethics.2018.20.5.ecas2-1805

Abstract

Part of any trauma surgeon's job is communicating effectively in difficult, often time-limited, situations. The ability to effectively discuss topics like goals of care in these settings has a direct effect on patient care. Many factors contribute to the complexity of these conversations, including patient, physician, surrogate, and system-specific factors. In responding to the case of Mr. D and Dr. J, we attempt to outline and analyze some of the moral challenges and ethical questions that this professional responsibility poses to trauma surgeons and trainees.

MeSH terms

Attitude of Health Personnel
Communication
General Surgery / education*
General Surgery / ethics*
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Patient Care Team / ethics*
Physician's Role
Physician-Patient Relations
Social Responsibility
Surgeons / ethics*
Surgeons / psychology