[Sent – 29
July 2018 to the 170+ surgeons et al of our Surgical
Ethics (Education) Consortium]
Greetings.
For the ‘Surgical Ethics Education Resources’ #4 communication, I am reaching
back to the early 1990s when I was with the LSU New Orleans Obstetrics and
Gynecology Department, managing the department’s large multi-site residency
program as my way to be embedded as the department’s ethics educator. As
I scanned the mail one day, a conference brochure caught my eye (inserted
below). I have tried repeatedly but without success over the years to
identify the source of this image since I have used the image so often to
visualize/frame didactic sessions about the link between ‘burnout’ and ‘ethics’
with residents as well as with practicing physicians/surgeons, nurses, social
workers, et al. Note –
- The burned out match head brings the subject into focus. An effective way to jump-start the discussion is to cover the burned out match head in order to solicit reaction to two subtle and somewhat surprising parts of the composition – (1) the fully compliant dress code (suggesting a person who does not ‘make waves’ and is likely considered exemplary by a supervisor) and (2) the hands tucked deeply into the coat sleeves (making a gripping statement about reservations when faced with ethically significant decisions).
- In order to firmly establish the participants’ attention, I prompt them to probe the experiences they associate with ‘burnout’ – (1) What burns out? (2) What triggers burnout? Where does being burned out leave you? What counters/corrects burnout?
- The participants are now ready to examine how being burned out can affect/alter ethical decision-making. With a spectrum in mind from ‘minimally acceptable’ decisions to ‘exceptional/sacrificial’ decisions, cases should be presented to highlight the possible impact of being burned out on being careful (i.e., do no harm), on benefiting the patient, on understanding/honoring a patient’s values/goals, on being fair, on respecting co-workers.
I welcome your questions
and observations. You are free to use the above materials as you think
might be helpful in your surgical ethics education efforts.
Doug
