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Transformations in self-understanding in surgeons whose treatment efforts were not successful
1Department of Psychology, Seattle University, WA.
Abstract:
This study, dealing with cardiac and cancer surgeons' reactions to treatment failure (i.e., situations where surgeons despite their best efforts were unable to successfully treat their patients) found changes in the surgeons that bore striking resemblance to certain changes in people undergoing psychotherapy. Twenty surgeons participated. Each reported on two of his patients, all of whom had undergone surgery that failed to stem the progress of their disease. The life expectancy of these patients was approximately one year. Each surgeon saw one of his patients only until completion of the customary postoperative care and then referred him/her back to the original physician. The other patient was seen by the surgeon on a once-monthly basis even after postoperative care had been completed. While the surgeons had decided to be part of the study "for the possible good of the patients," many reported experiences of transformations in their own self-understanding. The particular elements of healing and self-understanding included a sense of self-forgiveness and acceptance, a strengthened feeling of human connectedness, an enhanced sense of meaning about what they were doing, and a sense of openness and hope for the future. Perhaps this self-transformative process and the possible mechanisms for change discussed mimic what happens in psychotherapy patients.
Insights
Surgeons experiencing patient treatment failure reported personal growth, including self-forgiveness and enhanced meaning. These transformations in cardiac and cancer surgeons mirrored changes seen in psychotherapy patients.
Area of Science:
- Medical Psychology
- Surgical Outcomes
- Physician Well-being
Background:
- Surgeons face treatment failures, impacting patient prognosis.
- Understanding surgeon responses to adverse outcomes is crucial for physician support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the psychological impact of treatment failure on cardiac and cancer surgeons.
- To identify potential self-transformative processes in surgeons mirroring those in psychotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Twenty surgeons participated, reporting on two patients each experiencing treatment failure.
- One patient group received standard postoperative care; the other received monthly follow-up.
- Surgeons' self-reported changes in understanding and emotional states were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Surgeons reported significant personal transformations, including self-forgiveness and acceptance.
- Participants experienced a strengthened sense of human connectedness and meaning in their work.
- An enhanced sense of openness and hope for the future was observed.
Conclusions:
- Surgeon engagement with treatment failure can lead to profound self-understanding and personal growth.
- The observed surgeon transformations may parallel psychological mechanisms seen in psychotherapy.
- Further research into physician well-being and coping strategies following treatment failure is warranted.