[DuncanWaring]

... sacrificing all for 80-120 hour workweeks (before PC got in the way and now the puss* surgical residents have limited hours).

From the perspective of potential patient, I really don't want someone who works 120-hour weeks carving up my innards.

[don-o]

Good grief! Though I have no first hand experience, I know that those hours are common in the medical field. Or do you just mouse around looking for a beef?

[astounded]

I understand your perspective, but the rationale back then was that a surgeon needed to be ready to be awakened at 2am to go into the hospital to perform an operation that may take 4 to 5 hours; after working a full 12 to 14 hours day prior, starting surgery by 6:30am or so, maybe getting home for dinner by 7 or 7:30pm.

The training is not the same today, and I’d much prefer an old-school surgeon in the middle of the night than a younger one who trained under the new restrictions.

[johniegrad]

From the perspective of potential patient, I really don't want someone who works 120-hour weeks carving up my innards.

He's referring to residency training. They've cut back on that now. Not sure it makes for any better of a surgeon. They get less experience and you want that experience in the OR in the middle of the night with trauma or an acute abdomen.

[NoGrayZone]

If it were not for the intern, working those 80-120 hour work weeks, I would not be here today.

In 1989, I had a ruptured cyst on my ovary (didn’t know at the time). I knew something was wrong so I had my bf drop me off at the emergency room. The 1st doctor to examine me dismissed me as to having cramps.

The 2nd, an intern, working those 80 - 120 hour work weeks said the 1st doctor was wrong and gave 2 possible diagnosis. He then recommended a 2nd doctor. He KNEW it was something serious.

The 2nd doctor came in. If it were not for that intern, I would have been dismissed by the 1st doctor...to go home and die.

My ruptured cyst caused a tear on my ovary, which led to internal bleeding. The intern listened to my symptoms....the pain I started to feel all over my body (which was caused by the poison from the cyst entering my bloodstream...causing the pain).

If it were NOT for this intern, who TOLD ME the 1st doctor was wrong, I would have been sent home....to die of internal bleeding.

[Jim Noble]

From the perspective of potential patient, I really don't want someone who works 120-hour weeks carving up my innards

Do you want someone who was unwilling, if necessary to learn the craft, to work that hard carving up your innards?