The Program for Surgical Ethics, housed within the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society in collaboration with the Section of Surgical Sciences, provides the collaborative infrastructure for normative and empirical investigations into ethical issues pertaining to surgical patient care.
Examining Surgical Ethics is important, particularly now, because of the:
- Advances in surgical procedures
- Technological innovations (i.e., robotics, AI)
- Persistence of disparities in access to surgery and in surgical outcomes
- Continued growth of end-stage organ failure and need for transplantation
- The burden of moral distress and burnout on the surgical workforce
Analysis of ethical issues is key to improving more equitable, transparent, access and outcomes of surgical care.
MISSION
Our mission is to support providers in surgery and allied specialties at VUMC in learning about ethical issues in surgery, researching surgical ethics issues, and evaluating ethically-charged surgical practices in order to deliver surgical care in an ethically sound manner.
VISION
To improve quality surgical care by fostering mindful reflection on the context of surgical care.
ENGAGEMENT
Our program offers the VUMC community multiple opportunities to get engaged in surgical ethics:
- Education
- Research
- Application
By engaging in our Program, we aim to improve surgical care, patient outcomes, and healthcare workforce well-being through:
- Setting realistic expectations about surgery
- Enhancing patient-provider communication
- Increasing community engagement
- Increasing patient satisfaction
EDUCATION
- We hold quarterly surgical ethics research seminars through the Center for Biomedical Ethics faculty research program.
- We offer seminars and lecture series on conducting research on empirical ethics for pre- or post-doctoral trainees
- Dr. Allan Peetz leads a General Surgery Ethics M&M on months with fifth Wednesdays at 6am in Light Hall.
- and lecture series
If you would like to request presentations in your Department or Division, please email us.
