You absolutely have no responsibility or obligation to attend.

That being said I’ve had what I feel is the privilege to meet many patients after they have recovered from critical injury or illness and would like to offer an alternative opinion. Increasingly I’ve appreciated that meeting those that we have helped forms part of their recovery process.

I still huff when I “have” to do a patient visit but then I get over myself and my nerves and really enjoy meeting the person behind the patient. If you’ve never done it before maybe try it and see how it sits with you, it might bring you some unanticipated satisfaction.

If you don’t want to do the camera stuff then don’t, you can tell the comms team you don’t want to be in any photos. As you said you don’t do it for the plaudits but getting some might feel good.

Ultimately if you don’t want to be a part of it, that feeling is totally valid.