Now that I have had time to ponder what the Surgery Scheduler woman told me about those two worrisome items, it doesn't make sense to me.

If the doctor is interested in including in his research and in his teaching materials unusual cases of a particular health condition; and if this is true as she says that it is, why ask every patient to sign a document in which they're asked to give up their right to privacy and confidentiality?

Would this raise a red flag for you?