Ethical Considerations in Surgical Innovation, Harvard Surgical Ethics Conference

Innovation adds another dimension of risk to the dangers of surgery. Heroic patients, parents, and surgeons have bravely participated in these innovative efforts to advance surgical treatment. This session will outline the process of using new devices in the operating room, from development to the documentation of outcomes. In addition, the session will cover some of the ethical challenges that have been accepted in the operating room and recommend management approaches based on experiences at the institutional and national professional society level.

During this session: Richard Whyte, MD, MBA discussed the "Implementation of New Technology." Theresa Williamson, MD explored the "Implementation of New Devices." John E. Mayer, Jr., MD and Martin F. McKneally, MD, PhD described "Collaborative Development and Introduction of New Procedures." Louise P. King, MD, JD moderated the session.