Your Last MOAS blog post! Finish the book first!

The Final BLOG Question: After completing this book, do you think changes should be made in the way surgeons are trained? How important is it for surgeons to “practice” on real patients? Would you want to be operated on by the Intern, the Attending or the Chief Resident? Why? Why not? What challenges are faced by surgeons today?

After Reading Through Ch. 17 (and beyond)

This one's a bit tough - Dr. Nolen describes treating terminally ill patients and that "a surgeon is reluctant to 'pull the plug'? As recently as 2005 with the "Terry Schiavo" case, how to address the dying is something most of us are reluctant to deal with. If you were the attending surgeon would you be comfortable "playing God"? If you were a family member of a terminally ill patient, what would you do?

After Reading Through Ch. 15

At the private hospital on Long Island, the attending surgeons Loudon, Grove and Steele each had different “styles” of teaching young residents the art of surgical technique. What “style” did each have? Whose style do you think was most effective? Why?

After Reading Ch. 10, 11, and 12....

What do you think of the Making of a Surgeon so far? Do you think this is an effective way to train surgeons? What would you do differently if you were in charge of medical school education?

After Reading Chapters 7-9......

1.) Describe the composition and functions of blood. Why is monitoring blood and blood pressure so crucial to maintaining a patients course of treatment?

2.) What type of information is gained from an autopsy? An autopsy involved cutting open the patient and removing and studying several organs. Would you give permission to have a deceased family member autopsied by the medical staff? Why? Why not?

After Reading Chapters 4, 5, and 6:

What is meant by the term “differential diagnosis?” What is the benefit/drawback of this term?

After Reading Chapter 3:

Dr. Nolen describes treating wealthy patients differently than poor, indigent, alcoholic ones. This is a problem with our health care system. What do you think could remedy this situation so that all patients are treating fairly and equally?