Receiving the RACS 2023 Surgical Ethics Research Scholarship gave Dr Jazmin Eckhaus a unique opportunity to explore the complex intersection of surgery and moral decision-making. Her research examines the ethical challenges that shape surgical practice today.

“The scholarship was fantastic—it funded my time,” she says. “Ethics research isn’t about lab data or technical experiments—it requires deep thought, wide reading, and discussions.”

Importantly, the scholarship enabled Dr Eckhaus to pursue her longstanding interest in medical ethics—a passion rooted in her undergraduate diploma in philosophy. When the pandemic hit, she chose what she calls a “COVID master’s” instead of a “COVID baby”, pouring her energy into this “passion project”.

Rethinking consent

Dr Eckhaus’ research focused on surgical consent—a process often viewed as routine and straightforward but laden with assumptions. “We're taught it's simple: list risks, benefits, alternatives—done. But in reality, it’s far more complicated than that,” she says.

“I wanted to create a framework to help navigate the grey areas in surgery. Although there are straightforward cases, many surgical decisions are highly complex. We need better tools to manage that complexity. Traditional models—like the four ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and autonomy—don’t always equip clinicians for the realities they face and are often in conflict.”

For Dr Eckhaus, the master’s research was about unpacking that complexity. Though rooted in ethics, her research aimed to resonate beyond philosophers—to connect meaningfully with both physicians and patients alike. She found it fascinating how each group approached consent differently—clinicians through a clinical lens, patients through values and emotions. This contrast enriched her work.

The central question of her research is what it truly means for a patient to make an autonomous, informed and competent decision. In this setting, should there be any checks and balances on what procedure a surgeon offers?

Dr Eckhaus says the central challenge is understanding and assisting patients to make a decision in an area outside their previous experience that is nevertheless in line with their values. “For instance, if a patient listens to me and then says, ‘I’ll flip a coin—heads I’ll have the operation, tails I won’t,’ is that really a good decision? Does that reflect informed consent?”

At the heart of her research is the idea that consent is not a mere administrative step, but a powerful ethical and relational process. “Truly informed consent requires time, good communication, and an exploration of patient values and goals. We need systems that enable—not just expect—ethical and meaningful consent.”

Consent should be an ongoing conversation, she says. “It should include better training for clinicians, more accessible decision-making tools for patients, and cultural shifts to allow time for these discussions.”

Yet systemic barriers persist and there is a lack of qualified interpreters in certain language groups. “In some language communities in Melbourne, there are no professional interpreters.

That makes informational component of consent more challenging for some patients.”

Medical journey and robotic surgery

Dr Eckhaus’ path to thoracic surgery wasn’t linear. “I started in medicine fascinated by neurology and how people think,” she says. But the operating theatre had its own allure. Thoracic surgery offered a perfect fit “because it offers a wide range of cases”.
In March, she performed Epworth Eastern’s first robotic chest surgery. “What made it rewarding was broadening access to robotic surgery. Many patients in the eastern suburbs hadn’t had the same access, and for some, driving across the city isn’t easy.”
But it was her first subxiphoid robotic procedure that she considers a personal milestone. 

On the RACS scholarship and life outside theatre

Dr Eckhaus appreciates the College’s support. “Ethics research is so different from most other types of research. It's essentially about sitting, thinking, reading the literature, and having discussions. Being able to dedicate time to it was amazing, and I’d strongly encourage anyone interested to apply.”

She enjoys the variety that comes with being a thoracic surgeon. Outside of work, Dr Eckhaus enjoys daily walks with her two dogs as well as hiking and swimming.