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Reflections in Ethics

Kevin M. Ramsey, MD

Arch Surg. 2008;143(1):10-11.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

The practice of resident trainees performing surgical electives in developing countries is gaining in popularity.^1-2 In many instances, trainees are able to provide medical care to underserved regions while gaining valuable experience. The global health inequity is such that many patients have minimal access to quality surgical treatment and resident trainees can help fill this void. However, this inequity also brings with it an inequitable distribution of medical ethics challenges.³ During my fifth year of my ophthalmology residency, I went to such a country in Africa for a 9-week surgical elective.

During my elective, I experienced many highs and lows. Helping those who cannot help themselves can bring an unrivaled exhilaration. Challenging the limits of what feels right in the patient-doctor relationship does not make anyone feel good. In this article, I would like to describe some of the ethical situations I encountered while on elective . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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