Some reflections about Moral Dilemma after watching a viral video about a MIT Educated Neurosurgeon, who became Unemployed and is now alone in the Mountains

I just finished watching a viral YouTube video about a MIT graduate who worked as a neurosurgeon for 9 years before deciding to quit his job. The video has gained almost 7 million views in just a few days.

I found it surprising that I was able to sit through the entire 48-minute clip as it just features a man wearing a cap and hood talking in front of the camera, surrounded by swarms of mosquitoes with a beautiful mountainous terrain on his background.

In the video, he took some time to reflect on his decision to leave his meaningful and lucrative career as a neurosurgeon, a field he had been a part of for nearly two decades, including his years in medical school and residency. Despite being taught that a doctor’s mission is to alleviate suffering, he experienced numerous moral dilemmas during his time as a neurosurgeon which makes him unhappy all these while.

During his time as a neurosurgeon, he primarily performed spine surgeries rather than brain surgeries, which are less common. He elaborated that most of the surgeries he conducted only provided temporary pain relief, and in some cases, the conditions even worsened. By observing his patients’ recovery progress, he noticed a pattern: those who improved tend to maintain certain healthy habits such as eating well, sleeping adequately, managing stress effectively, exercising regularly, and having strong social connections just like recommendations from the “Blue Zone” which allows people to live a longer and healthier life by adopting certain lifestyle habits.

After leaving his job, he engaged in numerous nature walks with his pet dog and managed to lose 40 pounds. With reduced stress and increased happiness, he felt a significant improvement in his overall health. This realization led him to believe that the surgeries he performed may not address the root of the problem. Instead, he began advocating for a healthier lifestyle to prevent the need for surgeries. He speculated that if more people adopted this approach, many people might not have to go under the knife.

Some of his patients experienced improvement after undergoing rehabilitation or therapies, prompting the question: “Do they still need to proceed with surgery since they’re feeling better?” This dilemma weighs on him as a surgeon because he recognizes that opting for surgery may not offer a complete solution and could potentially exacerbate the situation.

It’s common knowledge that hospitals, including private institutions, rely on financial targets to ensure profitability while meeting operational costs. This isn’t to criticize any particular individual or organization, as their actions are typically well-intentioned, aimed at providing necessary services. However, he raised concerns about how the system’s structure inadvertently encourages or incentivize certain behaviors.

During my initial ACL surgery, I encountered a challenging decision after undergoing physiotherapy to prepare for the procedure for a smoother post-surgery recovery. Following the physiotherapy sessions, I regained the ability to run akin to my pre-injury state, albeit with the caution of avoiding contact sports. I pondered whether proceeding with surgery to potentially return to contact sports was necessary, or if I should abstain from such activities while still engaging in non-contact sports like jogging and swimming.

The allure of resuming my past physical activities, such as running and soccer, was enticing, reinforced by the MRI results and my doctor’s advice, which emphasized the need for surgery.

Subsequently, two additional surgeries followed the initial one, yet the issues persisted despite numerous physiotherapy sessions. It was then that I took matters into my own hands, considering the possibility of my knee pain being weight-related, even though I was within the acceptable weight range for my height. Adopting a strict regimen focused on diet, sleep, exercise, and stress management, I made significant strides in my recovery, culminating in a successful recuperation late last year after grappling with the issue for over four years. You can read about my recovery here.

Interestingly, this journey also saw the spontaneous disappearance of my chronic back pain, which had endured since becoming a father 10 years back. In retrospect, I began to question the necessity of the surgeries, especially considering the dissenting opinions of several physiotherapist friends who discouraged surgical intervention.

If individuals were informed that knee or back pain could be resolved without resorting to surgeries or physiotherapy, it could potentially jeopardize the lucrative rewards for being a surgeon or physiotherapist. This situation presents a moral dilemma for healthcare professionals, akin to the one faced by the neurosurgeon in questioning whether to advocate alternative solutions over surgical procedures or medication.

Have you ever encountered such moral dilemmas before? If yes, how did you overcome it? Please feel free to share your thoughts!

I recommend investing some time in watching this YouTube video as it might offer insights that could alter your perspectives on living a life which supports moral value.