Question:
How can I assure myself??

The Dr. I have chosen to do the surgery currently works in a teaching hospital. I have NEVER heard any bad reports about the hospital or its doctors, but I DO NOT want a student doing the surgery. I understand that the doctors of this country need to learn somewhere, but I don't feel comfortable with a student working on me with this type of surgery!! Can I reqest the doctor sign a written statement saying that HE will be the one doing the surgery, or do they do that already. I feel like I want it in writing that I don't want a student working on me. How should I handle this??    — enjo4 (posted on April 24, 2000)

April 24, 2000
Hi Erin, From my experience, when a hospital has students, they have you sign a statement saying that students CAN participate in your procedures. I would make my feelings known to my physician (nicely) and then when I pre-register if it is not mentioned, mention it!. Hope this helps!
   — Laura P.

April 24, 2000
I think you should be able to tell you doctor that you don't want anybody but them performing the surgery. I understand that they usually have someone "assisting" them but I made it clear to my doctor that I don't want him turning the surgery over to anyone. If he/she is unwilling to agree to this, then I wouldn't let them operate on me.
   — Nancy G. W.

April 24, 2000
Hey Erin: I had my surgery at a teaching hospital and was troubled by the exact same thing. I asked the doctor and the nurse and was assured that a student would not do my surgery. They would be present and would possibly assist. I do believe I signed a form to that extent but I was sure no student performed the surgery. I understand your concern. I would speak to your surgeon and also the nurse in the hospital when you go in for pre-anesthesia (sp) appt. Good luck!
   — Dot W.

April 24, 2000
ACK!! That's something I hadn't even thought of!! LOL Glad you asked, though. :)
   — Candace S.

April 24, 2000
OK! take a deep breath and relax..I am a critical care nurse with over 13yrs experience working from trauma to genaerl I.C.U and have employed myself from a rural 2 bed I.C.U to a 30 bed I.C.U. In a teaching facility there are cases were a surgon may allow a surgical resident to do a "hands" on with him/her observing at the side. When you sign a consent it may state "your physican and or his associates" IF you do not want anyone other than your surgon touching you, you must state that. If you have choosen this surgon and trust him, then speaking with him about your concerns is totally ok. If you trust him at this stage then you shoud have no reason to distrust him while your under! your trust in your surgon is a must-even if he let Donald Duck assist, your trust is in him. BEST OF THE BEST..
   — TJ J.

April 25, 2000
Erin, I had my open RNY at a teaching hospital. Many younger doctors had some input into my care, but none of them did my surgery. My surgeon was an attending and had a 4th year Resident as his main assistant. This Resident did my History and Physical and consulted frequently with my surgeon. My surgeon did the surgery and I have had no problems related to the mechanics of the surgery. He had been doing this surgery for 12 years and had an excellent record. The Resident is there to learn and to assist. This fourth year resident had been through 4 years of medical school as a student and was near the end of his fourth year of surgery. He was 14 months away from completing his Residency and moving into private practice. He did not do the surgery but did assist the Attending Surgeon. Ask your surgeon who will be doing your surgery and if any Residents will be involved. If so, ask what their role will be in your care plan and ask the Resident what his level of expertise is. If you have questions, ask, ask, and ask, again until you are satisfied with the answers. Remember, it's your body and you need to be fully aware of what is going to happen to you.
   — Anne L.

April 25, 2000
Erin, My surgeon is the Chief of Laparoscopic Surgery at Mount Sinai, a teaching hospital in NYC. Even as Chief of the dept, he performs all of his own surgeries. His Surgical Fellow (a resident) does pre-op prep work and assists, but he does the surgery himself. My understanding is that this is the norm for surgeons at teaching hospitals. Best of luck to you!
   — Duffy H.

March 16, 2002
My hospital prefered by my insurance is a teaching hospital. When I was there for a different procedure I was told by an admitting staff member that if there was something I didn't agree with on the release (i.e. students) I could cross that portion out of the release, initial next to it and sign the release. She said by doing that students would not be allowed to work on me because I did not consent. Hope this helps.
   — Mattie