any opinion and suggestion?

[linlynn]

Some of my information to refresh your memory:

I had ovarian cyst and scheduled a laparoscopy soon. The gyn doctor is a third year resident seems  not have a lot of experience.But from the beginning he assured me there will be another great attending perform the surgery on me. I happen to know from the attending's nurse that most of the surgery will be done by the resident under the attending's surpervise. I sent email to the residency to confirm. Here is his reply:

"Dr. ~will be the attending surgeon on the case and in charge of the operative procedure. As a resident I can only operate under his direction and close surpervision. We will be working as a team during the operation. I perform as much of the case as I am capable of or as much as Dr. ~ allows"

So my understanding from his email is he will perform the surgery on me under the attending's direction and surpervise. If he can not do some part, it will switch to the attending.  If my understanding is wrong, please correct me. That is not what I want.

When I signed the consent form, It said " I will allow Attending's name /resident's name perform the surgery on me". I asked him why he put two names there. His answer at that time is the attending is primary surgeon and he is assistant. I know during a surgery, there is only one primary surgeon and several assistants especially in a teaching clinic. So it sound very reasonable to me. I may misunderstand him. What I want is the attending perform the surgey on me and the resident observe the surgery. If I asked for removing the resident's name from the form, will it help? If it does not help, what I should do to let them know my request and really do what I request?

[Kimchi]

Due to financial reasons and no insurance, I opt to go to medical school/hospital for my treatments.  I do believe that students should have hands on experience as long as the professor/surgeon is present during the whole procedure.  I also tried to find out who was going to be my GYNO surgeon but was told that it is assigned the day before my op. Was also reassured that an GYNO ONC would be on-call as well.  I was very pleased with my young resident dr..Residents were ok but they had to run out and consult with professors who were romming around the area and visits would take too long.  Now that I have stage 4 OC, I don't want to waste time or get wrong information.  So I only opt to see my GYNO ONC on the days she has her clinic.  I feel I get more attention at a medical school hospital cause the students have to perform well to pass their classes and this is only time when a group of professors are all gathered in one place, so they consult with each other as well.  This is my choice and I am happy with it...Good luck

[hopeshell]

I understand your concern.  They need to learn somehow but no one wants to be the one they learn on - especially if there is a possibility of ovarian cancer.  I also had my surgery at a teaching hospital but the head gyn/onc with years of experience did my surgery.  Residents were present but I didn't have to sign any form like that.  I would call and talk to the secretary of the attending surgeon and ask if see if you can get an appt. with that surgeon or another like him in the group because you are uncomfortable having the resident perform your surgery.  If you explain your concern to his secretary or case manager it is likely one of them will help you find a solution.  I know it is a touchy situation but if you are feeling uncomfortable you have a right to speak up and they should understand.  Perhaps there is another gyn/onc that isn't associated who could see you.  Good luck.  

[rmarie]

By going to the teaching hospital and seeing the 3rd year resident you are in a awkward situation.  You have not met the primary surgeon, so you cannot even talk to him about it.  You need to see the attending an discuss the situation with him.  I don't know how it works in a strictly teaching hospital, does the attending have private patients?  If yes, that is what you want to be.  You need to switch from the clinic to the attending, talk to them.     Good luck all my best.   Marie