Ghost surgery

Pronunciation
Other names
Specialty
Uses
Complications
Approach
Types
Recovery time
Other options
Frequency

Ghost surgery refers to the unethical practice where a surgeon who is not the one originally contracted by the patient performs the surgical procedure without the patient's knowledge or consent. This practice raises significant ethical, legal, and professional concerns within the medical community.

Overview

Ghost surgery typically occurs when a surgeon delegates the operation to another surgeon, often a less experienced one, without informing the patient. This can happen in various settings, such as teaching hospitals where residents or fellows perform surgeries under the supervision of attending surgeons, or in private practices where a surgeon might be overbooked and delegates the procedure to an associate.

Ethical Considerations

The primary ethical issue with ghost surgery is the violation of patient autonomy and informed consent. Patients have the right to know who will be performing their surgery and to consent to that specific surgeon. When a different surgeon performs the operation without the patient's knowledge, it undermines trust in the patient-physician relationship.

Informed Consent

Informed consent is a fundamental principle in medical ethics and legal practice. It requires that patients are fully informed about the nature of their treatment, including who will be performing the procedure, and that they voluntarily agree to it. Ghost surgery violates this principle by substituting the agreed-upon surgeon with another without the patient's consent.

Professional Integrity

Ghost surgery also raises questions about professional integrity and accountability. Surgeons are expected to adhere to high ethical standards, and performing or allowing ghost surgery can damage the reputation of the medical profession and erode public trust.

Legal Implications

Ghost surgery can have serious legal consequences. Patients who discover that their surgery was performed by someone other than the agreed-upon surgeon may have grounds for a malpractice lawsuit. Legal cases often focus on the breach of contract and lack of informed consent.

Prevention and Policies

To prevent ghost surgery, hospitals and surgical centers should implement clear policies that require:

• Explicit documentation of the surgeon who will perform the procedure.
• Transparent communication with patients about any changes in the surgical team.
• Strict adherence to informed consent protocols.

Case Studies

Several high-profile cases have brought attention to the issue of ghost surgery, leading to increased scrutiny and calls for reform in surgical practices. These cases often highlight the emotional and physical impact on patients who feel betrayed by their healthcare providers.

Also see

• Informed Consent
• Medical Ethics
• Surgical Procedures
• Patient Rights