Watch a surgery?

Question

I am a new pre-med student, and we have not gone over this in classes yet, but I was wondering who I should talk to about watching surgeries at hospitals?

Answer 1

This is becoming more difficult in the age of privacy in the healthcare world.  New laws and new focus on patient rights have made it less likely that someone not working for the hospital be allowed into an operating room, even for educational reasons.  I would recommend that you do one of two things.  

You could try speaking to a surgeon directly.  Call the hospital of your choice, preferably one involved in teaching, and ask which surgeons are most involved in teaching.  Then call that surgeon's office an ask to talk to them, but be sure to leave good contact information and describe exactly what you want.

The other option is to set it up through the hospital itself, which may require you to be a formal volunteer with a contract and everything.

You will need the patient's permission to be present during the surgery.

Discuss OR etiquette with the surgeon beforehand.  (don't touch anything even if you are trying to help, don't stand in anyone's way, and don't talk unless you have ok'd it with the surgeon and nothing exciting is going on).