What is the specialty called for electronic implant surgery?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the specialty related to electronic implant surgery, exploring the medical and engineering aspects involved in the implantation of electronic devices within the body. Participants consider the definitions and classifications of surgical specialties relevant to this field, as well as the implications for research involving non-human subjects.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that electronic implant surgery falls under the general category of surgery, with a need for knowledge in both surgery and electronics.
  • Others argue that there is no single specialty for electronic implants, as various types of implants may be handled by different specialty surgeons, such as general surgeons for simpler procedures and cardio-thoracic surgeons for more complex ones.
  • A participant notes that the field of electronic implants is still developing, and a dedicated specialty may emerge in the future.
  • Some contributions discuss the potential for research involving non-human subjects, indicating that such research does not necessarily require an MD but does require specialized training and oversight.
  • Concerns are raised about the responsibilities and ethical considerations for graduate students working in research settings, particularly regarding supervision and decision-making authority.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a specific specialty for electronic implant surgery, with multiple competing views presented regarding the classification and responsibilities involved in both human and animal research contexts.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of a clear definition of specialties related to electronic implants and the varying responsibilities of individuals involved in research settings, which depend on specific circumstances and institutional guidelines.

TranscedentKid
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What does this fall under?
 
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Surgery to Implant Electronics sounds like Surgery to me.
Presumably you would know something about the electronics you were implanting too.
Example: surgery to implant a heart stimulater.

Making the electronics would be more like Engineering.
Example: designing the heart stimulater.
 
I did look through the AMA specialties definition list earlier today, and didn't find anything more specific than surgeon...
 
TranscedentKid said:
What does this fall under?
Are you asking this because you are pre-med and would like to specialize in this? You could probably talk to your university advisor to get some suggestions on specialties to look into... :smile:
 
There is no one specialty for this. Electronic, chemical, and mechanical implants can fall under the domain of various specialty surgeons, some general surgeons may be able to perform some procedures like birth control pellets/implants, penis pump implants, cochlear implants, insulin pumps, etc.- but more sensitive procedures, like installing a pacemaker, are left to cardio-thoracic surgeons. There aren't very many electronic implants as of yet, maybe in the future the specialty will be necessary.
 
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If your interested in doing non-people (research animals), many kinds of research could apply, without requiring MD like training.
 
BillTre said:
If your interested in doing non-people (research animals), many kinds of research could apply, without requiring MD like training.

A doctorate is almost always going to be required for those directly experimenting with animals, these folks go through very specialized training programs.
 
A graduate student in a lab doing this stuff could do it.
Would require a review and approval from an IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) and would probably get significant advice from a vet.
 
BillTre said:
A graduate student in a lab doing this stuff could do it.
Would require a review and approval from an IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) and would probably get significant advice from a vet.

In this case, the graduate student is working underneath the direction of someone with a doctorate. There is far less freedom working in a lab like this, as the student isn't making their own decisions but doing what they call slave work, and isn't authorized to do much more. Who is ultimately responsible here, if the student makes a mistake or commits an ethical violation? The person supervising the student...
 
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Although my experience as a grad student is somewhat dated, this:

Fervent Freyja said:
In this case, the graduate student is working underneath the direction of someone with a doctorate. There is far less freedom working in a lab like this, as the student isn't making their own decisions but doing what they call slave work, and isn't authorized to do much more.
would depend on which lab you are in and this:

Fervent Freyja said:
Who is ultimately responsible here, if the student makes a mistake or commits an ethical violation? The person supervising the student...
would depend upon the people and situation.
But the person in charge would always be someone who would get questioned.
 

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