title: Indecency/decency in cardiac surgery: a memoir of my education at a Super-Esteemed Medical Place.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article aims to define and analyze indecency in heart surgery, propose a partial remedy to it, stimulate ethics in the surgery literature, and reflect on the cultural background of heart surgery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  After 30 years of teaching ethics in medical schools, I provide a semi-insider's impression of being a patient in heart surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  I define types of indecency, apply them to my case, and reflect on the culture (nature) of surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anecdotally, heart surgeons need much improvement. One way to do so is by helping patients prepare for their postoperative experiences and support them when troubling aftereffects arise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA. erdeel@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Edmund L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Erde
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000941:ethics*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D012577:Schools, Medical; D014481:United States