#Perfusion2: Survey Results: Comments & Reactions
“It’s all straight up- no room for the so many permutations of insane Napoleon complexes and the subsequent punitive delivery that deflects attention away from unskilled or poor performance and self-edifies whatever dialogue needs to happen to struggle to the finish line.”
YEP- That Pretty Much Sums it Up…
Editor’s Note:
Over the past few months, putting this survey together and constantly poking and prodding on social media to suggest participation- had certainly made me think whether or not “it was over the top” or “overly sensitive”- or a “grow a pair” (which is in-and-of-itself completely misogynistic)- and it certainly made me question myself- my motivations- and “what was the point”?
What got me there was the fact that I was planning on addressing this issue in an upcoming book I am publishing on perfusion life-
So let’s discuss what you are going to read below? It certainly isn’t pretty- but it is OUR reality.
Will it change? I say YES- if we choose to make a stand.
Point- Counter Point…
I do wish to respond to a very valid point that was well articulated by one of our respondents:
First of all- Thank You for reminding us that this is clearly not a scientific survey. I guess if we had to put a label on the survey- it would lean more to the “over generalized” label that you ascribe to it. I totally agree. Yes- there is a predefined endpoint. That endpoint was more directed to helping all of us at least realize that we are NOT alone. In all honesty? The survey was secondary to that agenda.
If I get a N=1 in terms of a yes to the “abuse” question- then IMO- that is one response too many. And yes- I guess the same argument presented itself back in the day when someone had to stand up and be bold enough to address the fact that the World really isn’t Flat 🙂
The second point I wish to make- is that for the 248 people that chose to respond- that was THEIR OPTION- noone said they had to take the survey. The results expressed don’t lose their credibility just because the survey was obviously leaning towards a pre-established supposition.
Plz take into account that the respondents are clearly more than capable of deciding how they want to respond. That being said- the sum total of their responses as well as the comments section- basically speaks for itself.
I am sure that the survey had exposure to well over 10,000 possible respondents. I really don’t about the integrity or process (plus or minuses) in terms of the science of rendering a survey and reporting the subsequent results.
The outcome of the Survey clearly demonstrates that It’s the truth regardless of how the door was opened … and hopefully? We can shut that door.
What Got Us Here?
“The Red Cell Highway: An Inside Look at Cardiac Surgery in America”
“You know what really sucks? When a surgeon treats visiting students or observers on a totally different plateau than how they routinely treat their staff? That was starkly evident today. This particular MD mistakenly turned around and thought the person he was addressing was a scrubbed in visitor- when it was actually one of our own- a scrub tech that is 100% committed to doing the best job she possibly can. Whatever his comment was- it was coddling and nurturing… Everyone laughed- because the sad truth was- he would have never been so kind to one of us- Everyone laughed because we are beaten down- Stockholm Syndrome- look it up.
The group laughed, although the inequity of the moment wasn’t lost on anyone. People are just too afraid or cowed or beaten down to suggest that they are in an abusive environment. It’s really pretty sad. It’s repulsive honestly- that a professional group of Nurses and Clinicians- can be so beaten into subordination and submission- that they are forced to use humor in order to deal with such an inhumane expression of indifference- and total failure to recognize that the entire crew that works with him- works under the fear of angry and unwarranted attacks. realizing that it’s not a matter of IF- rather a sickening anticipation of WHEN these sort of surgeons lose it and take it out on one of the staff. The natural instinct is to align yourself with the surgeon, and try to deflect with humor- eventually that leads to a pack mentality that will prey on whatever victim just made a mistake or pissed the surgeon off- albeit a member of the team.
Its scary. After the case and the surgeon has left- we talk about anything BUT- the elephant in the room- instead we try to cover the bases by trying to smooth over whatever crap we dealt with, when it’s “just us”. Now if that doesn’t scream ABUSE then what does? We are either relieved after the case that the surgeon didn’t flip out on us- or we re-live- the most untoward moments of the operation- and how bad it got- or what tweaked the surgeon- at what particular time. We cover up by laughing about it- BUT IT’S NOT FUNNY. It’s totally embarrassing- we are professional adults- in a very rare and elite arena- with families- and instead of worrying about our kids (that due to our schedule- we don’t see OFTEN enough) we become like children, and ruminate and re-live the needlessly dramatic moments we have just been forced to endure… It sucks.”
It’s the truth regardless of how the door is opened …
READER COMMENTS:
NOT Over the Top…
Thank you Dana- I am way past the point of giving a shit about any sort of criticism- I have been in Medicine starting as a Navy Hospital Corpsman with the Marines- at 19- to 42 years in advanced medicine. I have saluted TREES that I have more respect for than some of the Cardiac Surgeons that tell me to “go on bypass”.
Since I am NOT blind- I have observed this basic behavior for at least the Civilian side of things. The Military is IMO a far better model in terms of Apex to Subordinate relationships and communication. It’s all straight up- no room for the so many permutations of insane Napoleon complexes and the subsequent punitive delivery that deflects attention away from unskilled or poor performance and self-justifies whatever dialogue needs to happen to struggle to the finish line.
