Transparency was at the forefront of a My Worst Cases session at VAM yesterday afternoon. Moderator William Robinson, MD, professor and chief in the Division of Vascular Surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, set the tone for the session, emphasizing the importance of shared learning experiences.
“The audience wants an opportunity to engage, ask questions, make comments and we’re going to provide that today,” remarked Robinson in his opening remarks. Afterward, VS@VAM caught up with medical student attendees of various backgrounds who shared their reflections on what they heard from the panel of vascular surgeons.
“A lot of cases presented were fantastic because they showed that even in situations where a procedure didn’t go as planned, you know, the surgeons that were presenting were professionally composed and, in many cases, admitted to their faults of being too aggressive with treatment and how they always try to work in the best intention and protection of the patient,” said Alan Nagarajan, from the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
“Much of this is technically their worst cases, as in their worst moments. I think coming up there and showing that bravery of just showing all of the steps and what went wrong, and thinking about the steps where they could have done something different, and leaving it up to the audience to discuss some other options. I think it showed how innovative this field can be,” said Nikitah Gidh from Baylor College of Medicine.
“This is my first time at VAM, and to see experienced doctors humbly admit their difficult cases, it reassures us because, when you’re stepping out, it gives you confidence that things can go bad. It’s bound to happen to anyone,” said Benjamin George, Pushpagiri Insitute of Medical Science, Pathanamthitta, India.
