After reading Dr. Olga L. Quintero’s article, “A Lesson in Loss: A Novice Anesthesiologist’s Journey,” I was deeply moved by the profound challenges she encountered early in her career.1  For any newly graduated anesthesiologist, such an experience is an emotional and psychological blow. First and foremost, I want to express my deepest sympathy to the author and encourage her to maintain her resilience as she continues her long and challenging journey in this profession. This poignant narrative has prompted me to reflect on five key aspects that I believe warrant further discussion.

Dr. Quintero’s detailed account of handling a critically ill patient highlights the ethical and clinical decision-making challenges that anesthesiologists face. In dealing with a patient with severe comorbidities, she had to make rapid decisions about whether to proceed with a high-risk intervention. This ethical dilemma, particularly when it involves principles like “do no harm” and informed consent,...

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