When money and principles clash: the ethics of a surgical teaching service.
During your preoperative visit, a very wealthy patient, Gill Bates, who donated a wing to the large teaching hospital in which you practice, has an unusual request: He does not want any residents involved with his care. He is scheduled for an open infrarenal aneurysmectomy. He explains that his decision is based on the experience of a relative many years ago who was harmed by a resident's error. You clarify that you will do the procedure but that this is a teaching hospital and residents provide excellent assistance and postoperative care. He is resolute in demanding that only grown-up surgeons provide his care.
Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex. Electronic address: jwjones@bcm.tmc.edu.
James W
JW
Jones
Laurence B
LB
McCullough
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics*; D037921:Gift Giving / Q000941:ethics*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000941:ethics*; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000941:ethics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000941:ethics; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education* / Q000941:ethics*