Dr Chaudhary has issued an urgent plea to the National Medical Commission (NMC), highlighting various ethical and medical concerns surrounding Live Surgical Broadcasts (LSBs)
Prominent Ophthalmologist Dr Rahil Chaudhary, a member of the All-India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), has sounded the alarm following an incident at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where a patient tragically lost their life during a live surgical broadcast.
The statement said that in spite of clear opposition from numerous AIOS members, the AIOS executive body has controversially decided to incorporate live surgeries into their forthcoming mid-term conference.
Taking a stand, Dr Chaudhary has issued an urgent plea to the National Medical Commission (NMC), highlighting various ethical and medical concerns surrounding live surgical broadcasts (LSBs). He has further filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India on the matter.
“Just as a phone call can dangerously distract a driver, leading to accidents, live surgical broadcasts similarly divert a surgeon’s focus, potentially resulting in grave mishaps, much like the recent tragedy at AIIMS,” said Dr Chaudhary, Founder, Eye7 Hospitals.
“During a live surgery telecast, having personally conducted such procedures, I can attest that the surgeon is often wholly distracted, engaging with the audience and responding to their queries. This can introduce major risks, especially when it is a matter of life and death,” stated Senior Ophthalmologist, Dr KPS Malik, Past President, AIOS & Former Head of the Department, Ophthalmology, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi & also a Past DGHS.
Live surgical broadcasts, although touted by some as an advanced educational method, have become a significant point of dispute.
Dr Chaudhary underscores several issues including not having enough concrete evidence proving the advantage over meticulously produced, pre-recorded surgical videos. He also says that the recent catastrophe at AIIMS serves as a stark reminder of the unique pressures and challenges surgeons grapple with during live broadcasts.
He further says that the LBSs also do not have the full backing of insurance yet and issues also emerge when one looks at these procedures from the lens of the patient and the patient giving an informed consent for such procedure.
The doctor said that during three General Body Meetings (GBM) hosted by AIOS, members have consistently voiced their apprehensions against live surgeries. Yet, in a move against this collective sentiment, the executive body of AIOS appears poised to forge ahead with its plans.
Dr Chaudhary wants NMC to initiate a thorough investigation into LSB practices, with a particular emphasis on ethical, medical, and insurance concerns. And develop rigorous guidelines that guarantee patient safety, absolutely informed consent, and reinforced insurance coverage.
He has called for a provisional suspension of LSBs until an all-encompassing regulatory framework is established and actively discourages the AIOS from facilitating live surgeries during their imminent mid-term conference, given the evident risks and the recent misfortune at AIIMS.
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