Surgical Tourism: The Role of Cardiothoracic Surgery Societies in Evaluating International Surgery Centers

In the end, ethical principles of autonomy (respect for the individual), beneficence (doing good for the patient), non-maleficence (avoiding harm), and justice (treat all patients fairly) support the patient in doing what she wants to do with her own life. However, thoracic surgical societies are under no obligation to facilitate this practice, given the potential negative consequences to our health care structure, our culture, and our economic well-being.