Question:
Surgeon is a resident at teaching facility

My surgery will be done in a teaching facility and my surgeon is one of the BEST in the area. My questions is, since I'm having surgery in a teaching facility, odds are that a resident (5th year) will be doing or assisting in the surgery. I have insisted that I want the expereinced surgeon doing the surgery, and don't mind it the resident open's and closes. This is making me more nervous than I was already. Wondering, has any one eles had this experience???? Please, please let me know. Thanks    — Jeana S. (posted on August 21, 2002)

August 21, 2002
YIKES! Who will be there to see while you are out? Then it's too late. I wouldn't trust them to honor any agreement like that. I know they gotta learn on somebody but . . .
   — ctyst

August 21, 2002
When you sign your consent for surgery it has a statement such as "I hereby authorize Dr.___________ and/or his associates to perform on me___________________(name of procedure)." If you cross out the part "and/or his associates" and initial it, then noone else but the doctor you named can perform the procedure.
   — karenrose

August 21, 2002
My doctor, is Program Director @ a teaching hospital. For the record, a teaching hosiptal is 100X better than a regular non-teaching hopsital. I say this b/c teaching hospitals are more up to date with what is going on in medicine and less complacent. Discuss your features, what really matters is how many surgeries you doctor has done. His success rate, his experience. It doesn't matter who assists. A 5th yr resident assisted on mine and the residents are who will check up on you everyday while in the hospital in addition to your surgeon (i saw my dtr 2x/day and the residents 2-3x/day)...The best surgeons will have a load of residents reporting to them at teaching hospital. Don't fear, you are in good hands.
   — heathercross

August 21, 2002
My surgeobn works side by side with his residents, some of which have become regular associates in his group. It surprised me but causes no trouble and both me and Jen felt well taken care of. His residents are all nice personable folks. I feel good that their training goes on to help other MOs. Someone has to do the surgeries.
   — bob-haller

August 21, 2002
Speaking from experience, when a surgical resident is assisting a surgeon (who is a.k.a. an "attending"), you can be sure that the resident is being watched like a hawk to be sure she's doing things perfectly. I chose a teaching hospital BECAUSE I knew that having residents & attendings working together means very close supervision... as well as access to the most current medical knowledge... which means excellent care. The bottom line is, the attending surgeon is the one who's ultimately responsible for the patient... and I hope this helps to put your mind at ease.
   — Sarah B.

August 21, 2002
OK... maybe this doesn't exactly address your question, but others have done a pretty good job of that. However, I can sort of sympathize with you. My surgeon was approx. 14 mos out of his residency when I had my surgery July 30, and I was his 6th gastric bypass patient on his own, although he did 30-40 as a resident. While I really like my surgeon, I was a little apprehensive about youth, etc, and thought maybe I was justifying going to him because it was convenient. (He's the only one in town who does them.) However, when I told my mom, who is a surgical nurse, all this, she didn't even bat an eye, despite her reluctance for me to have it done at all. As she told me, sometimes the youngest ones are better because they have to think a little more, and don't forget things. Anyway, he was wonderful, great bedside manner, and really concerned about me. Everyone has to start somewhere, and as you said, there will be more experienced doctors there too. You'll be FINE! :)
   — Kelly B.

August 21, 2002
In addition to all the comments below, teaching hospitals tend to have more up to date equipment and better facilities. It is much better to have a "team" of doctors handling your case as opposed to one. Good Luck
   — Tara J.