Concurrent Surgeries: Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues

Concurrent, or overlapping, surgeries involve the simultaneous scheduling of substantial portions of two or more surgeries under the supervision of a single surgeon, requiring delegation of responsibility to trainees and assistants if necessary. The practice is not uncommon, especially at teaching hospitals, but patients often have no idea that their doctor may also be operating on someone else at the same time. This panel discussion will describe the practice, its risks and benefits, and recommended approaches to preserve patient trust and safety.

Panelists:

– Jonathan Saltzman, Reporter, The Boston Globe (contributor to “Clash in the Name of Care”) – Setting the Stage

– Griffith Harsh, MD, Professor of Neurosurgery, Stanford University – Surgeon’s Perspective

– I. Glenn Cohen, JD, Professor, Harvard Law School; Faculty Director, Petrie-Flom Center – Legal and ethical perspectives

– Moderator: Robert Truog, MD, Frances Glessner Lee Professor of Legal Medicine, Professor of Anaesthesia (Pediatrics), and Director, Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School

See more on our website: http://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/events/details/concurrent-surgeries