48 – Department Head Meeting

"Chief Gao and Doctor Hao are being rash," complained Dr. Chun 2.0 at the department head meeting. "They are allowing their residents to perform surgeries on patients without a senior doctor present. This is not something we should be promoting."

"Really? I do not see a problem since all the surgeries have been successful so far," Chief Zhang rebutted. "Have you read the report?"

"Hmph, like I have the time to review all the nonsense that goes on in your department. I am only addressing concerns that the other residents have noticed."

"If your residents are complaining, then they obviously have too much time on their hands."

"It's only because your department is hogging all the surgeries."

"What do you mean by that? My unit have always notify the general surgery department of an arrival. If your residents want more opportunities to perform surgery, then that is up to the department's coordinator to decide. I can only assume that whoever is in charge will need to take responsibility."

"Hmph, typical of an Imperial City man to talk like a politician," Dr. Chun 2.0 sneered.

"What else can I say? If your attendings aren't comfortable with putting a resident in charge, I do not see how that is my problem."

"This isn't about my department. It's about yours bending the rules."

"You know more than anyone about bending the rules."

"Why you!" Dr. Chun 2.0 stood up from his seat, ready to declare war.

"Enough," Director Hong ordered the two to sit down and to stop arguing. "This is not a problem since they are supervised by a senior surgeon. Everything is well documented in the report. Is there anything else anyone would like to address?"

Some surgeons grumbled, but decided not to speak up. There was no specific rules that required supervisors to be in the same room. As long as the supervisor could see what the residents were doing, it didn't conflict with the guidelines. Besides, it wasn't like any of the attendings ever properly supervised their own residents.

"Next topic, we will address the New Medical Technology Symposium coming up in Magic City in February. Doctor Bao has been invited to speak about his experiences with the Da Vinci robot."

Everyone clapped out of common courtesy as Doctor Bao stood up.

"I know everyone is unhappy that we have to share the Da Vinci robot between all departments. However, I have good news. We will receive funding to order another Da Vinci robot and one new domestic robot after the Spring Festival."

All the doctors started chattering on their own. This was big news. Robot assisted surgery was the future of surgery like laparoscopic surgery was twenty years ago.

In the next twenty years, many foresaw robot assisted surgery as the next gold standard. Robots guided surgeries were also more precise, leading to faster recovery times.

Robots eliminated the need for surgeons to have high dexterity and steady hands. Good surgeons could operate later in their life rather than retire early to an administrative or research position. As long as a person can operate a computer, they could continue to perform surgery.

There were naturally tradeoffs. Surgeons would eventually lose touch of certain sensation. Doctors were already beginning to lose the tactile memory of what the heart and pulse felt like due to laparoscopic and endoscopic technologies.

Old school surgeons did not like it, but they were in the minority. It was like a painter lamenting over the loss of texture and character to a Photoshop artist. To the painter, it meant everything, but to the Photoshop artist, it was just another form of media.

To most practicing surgeons, the disadvantages paled in comparison to the benefits. The only shortcoming that prohibited widespread use was the initial cost and maintenance expenses.

The doctors in the meeting conference were all excited about the thought of more surgical robots. Every department fought over the use of the Da Vinci robot. Every time the robot was in use, the theater was packed with surgeons and residents hoping to gain insights. Li Yun naturally used Zuowang.

"Our country is committed to advancing the field of automation in surgery, and many companies have stepped up to create robots that will better serve the people," said Director Hong. "I will be sending representatives along with Doctor Bao to the symposium to select three domestic robots for the directors and chiefs to vote on."

Doctor Chun 2.0 raised his hand. "Director Hong, I am sure you are aware that my research papers are on the need for automation in all aspects of patient's care. Surely there's no one more qualified than me. My knowledge will also complement Doctor Bao's hands-on experience."

Half the doctors in the room rolled their eyes, but more and more doctors raised their hands to recommend themselves. Self promotion was shameless, but necessarily if they wanted to advance themselves.

Everyone was aware that whoever were chosen as the representatives would also have more opportunity to use it in the future. If the ROSA robot was selected, for example, then naturally the neurosurgical and orthopedic department would have more surgical opportunities.

Director Hong patiently dwindled his thumb and waited for everyone to stop talking. "Our hospital's 30th year anniversary is coming up, and I thought of an interesting way to increase both hype and excitement. We'll have a robot assisted surgery competition, but only the residents are allowed to compete."

Immediately after the announcement, every department was in battle mode. The winner would gain immense opportunities and the losers would fall behind.

Director Hong's decision led to a surge in residents medical training that had not been seen before. With only a month left before the competition began, every departments pushed additional training and surgeries for the residents.

In the ACS unit, everyone was relatively calm while looking through the formal competition announcement emailed to all the department heads.

"Did you know Director Hong was planning this?" asked Chief Lim.

"Why would I know? We're not that close," Chief Zhang replied. "More important question, who are you sending to the competition?"

"So we only need to submit a team of people?" Asked Chief Gao. "That's simple then."

They had 8 first-year, 7 second-year, and 7 third-year residents. The third-year residents naturally have more experience and the chiefs selected the top three from the third-year residency program.

From a technical standpoint, An Luchang was the best at using the robot, but selecting him over the 3rd year would cause internal problems and low morale for the third years who were about to complete their program.

None of the chiefs cared about the competition. They didn't care about what robot was selected. It was already a win for the hospital to gain more surgical robots.

"Oh, there are also year-based mock diagnosis competitions," Chief Gao continued reading through the email. "Director Hong is really going all out."

"Well, it is going to be his 5th year here, and his father will be coming in to celebrate, he'll naturally want to make this as exciting as possible," Chief Zhang remarked.

Although Qinbei Hospital was a public hospital where the director was appointed by government officials, the previous director two generations ago was Director Hong's father. Despite the apparent nepotism, Director Hong had proven to be a much more ambitious and resolute than his father.

"What's the prize for the individual competition?" Chief Lim wondered.

"Third prize is one vacation day, second prize is two vacation days and grand prize is five vacation days."

"Oh wow, that's generous."