Wellness Strategies Among Bad Outcomes and Complications

Surgery of the chest is high stakes, and adverse events are common. Given the frequency and severity of such complications, cardiothoracic surgeons are at particularly high risk of becoming second victims. Even though our primary commitment as doctors is to take care of our patients, surgeons may fall into the emotional and intellectual trap of taking on the whole responsibility of a patient's poor outcome. This viewpoint may lead the physician to develop a heightened self-doubt, greater insecurity, and imposter syndrome, further affecting their ability to prevent complications and tackle difficult cases in the future.