The role of the pediatric surgeon: differences in expectations between surgeons and parents

Abstract

Purpose Following the recent publication of an article in The Boston Globe “exposing” the common practice of scheduling and performing concurrent surgeries, there has been much discussion amongst both the lay press and hospital administrators seeking to ensure the safety of patients by investigating and regulating this cost-effective strategy. However, there is little information about the practice of performing concurrent surgeries in pediatric patients; even less is known about parents’ expectations regarding the role of the surgeon on the day of surgery and how these expectations align with those of pediatric surgeons and …