Moral angst for surgical residents: A qualitative study
Received 27 February 2009; received in revised form 3 April 2009 published online 25 January 2010.
Abstract
Background
The ethical dilemmas that residents experience throughout their training have not been explored qualitatively from surgical residents' perspectives.
Methods
Grounded theory methodology was used. All University of Toronto surgical, otolaryngology, and obstetrics and gynecology residents were invited to participate. Twenty-eight face-to-face interviews were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed by 3 reviewers.
Results
Five encompassing themes emerged: (1) residents prefer operating with another resident while the staff watches; (2) residents felt that patients were rarely well informed about their role; (3) residents develop good relationships with patients; (4) residents felt ethically obliged to disclose intraoperative errors; and (5) residents experience ethical distress in certain teaching circumstances.
Conclusions
Residents encounter ethical dilemmas leading to moral angst during their surgical training and need to feel safe to discuss these openly. Staff and residents should work together to establish optimal communication and teaching situations.
ABSTRACT