Is there any way to tell whether or not you would make a good surgeon before you begin all the years of training? What qualities are the most important to possess? Is it worth all the time and effort put in?
2007-01-05 09:56:58 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
I'm a surgeon.
Feel free to browse back through old answers that I've done for other people, as I think I've answered a few like this that might also be of interest to you.
Surgical training is a minimum of 5 years after medical school, which, in the United States, is 4 years in length. In other countries, there are different ways that this type of training is implemented, but I can only comment on the US method first hand. Many surgeons undertake additional training after their initial 5 year surgical training program (called "residency").
I did an additional 1 year fellowship in minimally invasive surgery after my residency.
Medical school application typically occurs in the last year or so of college. It is highly competetive, and depends on a broad range of requirements. Above and beyond the requirements, the applicant needs to show the admissions committee that they possess the personal integrity and the fortitude to not only withstand the training, but to thrive in that setting.
After gaining entrance into medical school, a medical student interested in surgery needs to continue to perform at a higher level than their peers. Surgical residency requires a competitive applicant, and many who wish to do surgery are unable to gain acceptance into surgical residency. There are typically more than 2 applicants for every slot in surgical residency each year. The program that I am involved with interviews about 50 of the 400 to 500 applicants who demonstrate interest, and we accept 4 residents per year. That is a typical scenario nationwide.
If you have interest in surgery, I suggest you apply yourself earnestly in college. Obtain a broad education. Although "pre-meds" typically follow in some sort of science track, it's not a deal breaker to do something else. I double majored in mathematics and philosophy. One of my medical school classmates had studied theology, another was a former high school teacher, another was a former lawyer.
Begin to make political allies early on. Do you know any doctors? If you do, lean on them. Any friend of a parent who knows someone who knows someone... don't be shy. You want to organize an opportunity to "shadow" a doctor. This is where you wander around and see what it is that the doctor actually does all day. Some academic medical centers actually have a formalized program for facilitating this, college "pre-meds" can help with research, meet with doctors who have some influence, and can boost their medical school application.
Once in medical school, a medical student interested in surgery would be wise to continue the political maneuvers. It is helpful to work with surgeons as a medical student, either in a research volunteer capacity or in an elective clinical rotation. Surgeons who can get a chance to see what a student is "made of" have a better chance of authoring a strong recommendation letter.
Ultimately what it takes to be a good surgeon is some strength of character, academic self discipline, a strong work ethic, and a love for the art and science that is surgery. After that, the rest comes as a part of the training. Surgical training is a transformational process. Nobody goes in and comes out the same as they started.
Is it worth it? Well OF COURSE I'd say yes. I love what I do. I have the best job in the world.
I hope that helps.
2007-01-05 12:00:53 · answer #1 · answered by bellydoc 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Both doctors are absolutely 100% correct in their answer, except for one MINOR variable, that they forgot to answer. you must be able to understand and memorize the anatomy of the body and clearly know the physiology of the structure you are working on, it is not a matter of "just cutting" of affiliating yourself politically, but you must be able to think outside the box when you have a persons life in your hands, you must know cause and effect, you cut a nerve by accident, now what??? you think your political affiliations will pull you out of a law suit?? suppose you screw up someones life, can you live with that mistake?? just because you did not study??? knowledge is all, understanding is everything
2007-01-05 23:28:33 · answer #2 · answered by george m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After high school, 4 years undergraduate college study.
4 more years to become an MD. For surgery, about 4 more years of residency.
12 years of hell.
2007-01-05 18:05:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
bellydoc has a great answer, except that he is mistaken that surgeons have the best jobs in the world. Anesthesiologists have the best jobs in the world! :)
2007-01-05 21:53:39 · answer #4 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good steady hands and being able to work under pressure
2007-01-05 18:00:32 · answer #5 · answered by sammie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A sincere desire to help people and to want to make a difference in people's lives. Also, nerves of steel. :)
2007-01-05 18:03:50 · answer #6 · answered by judirose2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hard work. that's more important than the steady hands and stuff. it's many years like you say. work at it and you'll be good.
2007-01-05 18:27:19 · answer #7 · answered by animal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good technique with your hands patience and the desire to help people
2007-01-05 18:15:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
arrogance
2007-01-05 19:28:58 · answer #9 · answered by Poopdedo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋