To reject trainee surgeon?

[RunningThroughMyHead]

My young child is on the wait list for eye surgery. It’s a complex surgery with risks of blindness or other permanent eye issues if not done correctly. These risks have been explained to us but the benefits outweigh the risks.

My husband took him to the last appointment and the surgeon explained that a student surgeon may undertake all or part of the surgery under his supervision. My husband nodded along as far as I can tell.

Whilst I fully understand that healthcare professionals need to practice, perhaps selfishly, I don’t want my son practiced on. I wouldn’t forgive myself if something happened and I want someone well experienced to do the full surgery.

AIBU to request/insist on this?

This wouldn't be a "student" this is likely to be a very senior resident doctor who has already undergone up ton7 years training as an ophthalmologist.
At Least if you want to challenge a decision understand the basic facts

No WAY would a “trainee” be permitted to perform critical surgery on a minor’s eye.

Are you sure you haven’t misinterpreted things op?

Thank you

It sounds like they were telling you, not asking you.

Surgery isn’t the same as being a qualified ophthalmology though! It’s a whole different skills set, hence they’d need full supervision.

Why is it wrong that I want someone well experienced?

Hi - yes it definitely won't be a 'student', but could be a very senior trainee, who has had many years of experience - they operate on us all, all the time.

If you are nervous, ask the Consultant what grade the trainee is and what experience they have - you are quite within your rights to ask and I ask all the time when I'm a patient (I work in medical education, so have a vested interest!).

You are getting someone experienced

I’m not sure that’s legal? My impression is people have a right to choose around their healthcare?

eg if you weren’t happy with your GP, you can request to change and they will do this. They don’t insist you have a specific doctor if it makes you uncomfortable.

Experienced in what? This operation? How do I know that?

The proper name for your eye surgeon is an ophthalmologist - they are the same thing. The consultant has explained that a registrar might be doing the surgery with supervision (which might be very close step by step or very hand off depending on the experience of the surgeon involved). They certainly won't be a student!

You really have no idea how hospitals work do you?
If you want to choose a particular surgeon you go private and pay the associated costs.

You don’t have the right to choose your surgeon

It would be a hard no from me.

Why would I know how it works?!

Why are you being so rude unnecessarily?

If you are insisting on the consultant doing the op, ask yourself, when was the last time they actually did the op....... it could be some time ago, and the student you talk about so disparagingly, has done it more recently.

You get the benefit of two surgeons, a slightly less experienced surgeon and a very senior surgeon supervising, as said it will be an already well qualified surgeon operating, but if this is a rarely done and complex surgery it is an extra precaution to have a more senior surgeon also there to watch and be able to take over if necessary. Can you look up their qualifications to put your mind at rest?

Maybe because I have just come off 2 bloody night shifts

If it's strabismus surgery they will do this daily.

What are you saying no to? The surgery?

OP - it sounds very stressful and I'm sorry you and your family are having to deal with it but I would be surprised if there was a choice you could make which didn't delay the surgery. The people doing it will be trained and qualified, they don't let the lad on work experience do this kind of thing.

Why are you being so contrite?

When have I talked about the student disparagingly? That’s a huge assumption to say the student has more experience than the consultant. How possibly could you know that? Very unlikely.

I had complex less common eye surgery last year. The consultant and the young colleague("trainee") worked together and the consultant took over at various tricky points to show her. It was absolutely fine. Also unusual as I was awake while it happened and they were talking to me / each other calmly - which was very reassuring .

Do you know what contrite means? I’m not - I was looking for opinions, not rudeness.

Ive no problem with people saying IABU - but no need to be rude about it.

I understand where you are coming from op. I think you might have to sign a form saying you agree to this. I would ask for more information, maybe the grade of surgeon who will operate as mentioned up thread. You could also ask what exact part the trainer surgeon will play during the procedure. If you aren't happy with the answers don't sign. I don't what the outcome of that would be though. Whether you would be placed further down the list or even maybe have to go private. The NHS is very careful with children I believe so hopefully all will be well. 💐

If you want to choose a surgeon you need to pay for that privately I’m afraid.

It won’t be a student - it’ll likely be a registrar.

I had a senior surgeon do an operation on me 19 years ago that he had only ever seen done once. Well, a new way of doing the operation. I’m glad I did because I’ve had 10 more years of mobility than I would have had if he had done it the old way.

They all have to learn. And cadavers and dummies and video simulations can only take them so far.

But that said, it’s not like they’re just going to let a student loose on a patient without supervision.