surgeons.......??

Question

Is anyone here a surgeon?...... Do you find your job stressful....??? Are you scared you will make a mistake on that operating table??

Answer 1

Hi, I'm a neurosurgery fellow (it means that I've done my internship and residency, I just am learning to become a NEUROsurgeon.)..Certain times I do find this job incredibly stressful, it's not like other jobs in the way that someone can and will die if you make a mistake. To argue, surgery is amazingly exhilarating. Every time you are at that table, you feel a surge of greatness, confidence, perfection. Like the world is at your feet. It's strenuous sometimes, long hours, long surgeries. But I love it. Being a surgeon, the only way to succeed is to LOVE your job. You have to really really want to do this. And be confident. Confidence is the only thing that can help you when you're trying to save a person's life. So yes, it can be terrifyingly stressful, but it's too amazing to complain about.

Answer 2

I'm not only a surgeon, I'm a clinical instructor of surgery. I take responsibility for the operations I perform directly, and I am also responsible for the actions of people that I'm teaching surgical technique to. That's absolutely stressful and there's no way to make it otherwise. Sometimes that makes the job more difficult, sometimes it doesn't... but one thing is for sure, it never makes the job easier!

Mistakes absolutely happen. Some are disasterous. A good surgeon will recognize and correct errors rapidly, and use the experience to improve the quality of care that they provide thereafter.

I hope that answers your question.

Answer 3

Look at the surgery forum on the Studentdoctors network website. I can't remember the name of thread or even who started the debate going in the first place but it was very iinteresting and a little terrifying in some respects.

Stress is a very individual thing. Some surgeons are highly stressed and absolutely hate their job, others are luckier and appear quite happy to sacrifice many years of their life for a career in surgery.