Which Systemic Responses Should We Evolve to Help Surgeons Navigate Their Regret Experiences?

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Surgical Psychology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Surgical regret is traditionally linked to specific actions or inactions by surgeons.
• This narrow view overlooks significant external influences on surgical outcomes.
• Understanding the full spectrum of surgical regret is crucial for surgeon well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To broaden the definition of surgical regret beyond individual actions.
• To explore external factors contributing to surgeons' regret.
• To highlight the importance of addressing regret for systemic change and mitigating burnout.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of surgical regret.
• Case commentary exploring external influences.
• Discussion of the normative value of addressing regret.

Main Results:

• Regret in surgery arises not only from direct actions but also from uncontrollable external factors.
• Factors like resource limitations and interpersonal dynamics significantly impact surgical outcomes and lead to regret.
• Addressing these broader sources of regret is vital.

Conclusions:

• The conception of surgical regret needs expansion to encompass external factors.
• Acknowledging and addressing these wider influences can reduce moral distress, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
• Systemic changes are necessary to ameliorate surgeons' experiences of regret and improve healthcare environments.