How to become a Surgeon
Surgeons operate on patients to repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, correct deformities, and improve human bodily functions and appearance.
Personal requirements for a Surgeon
- Good communication skills
- Self-confidence
- Conscientiousness
- Able to relate to people from different cultural backgrounds
- Compassionate towards others
- Enjoy working with people
- Able to concentrate for long periods
- A high degree of motivation and self-discipline
- Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
- Supportive and professional approach when treating patients.
Duties & Tasks of a Surgeon
Surgeons may perform the following tasks:
- Examine patients to determine the need for operations, estimate risks to patients and select the best operational procedures
- Read reports about patients' general physical condition, reactions to medications and medical histories
- Talk to anaesthetists about the dose of anaesthesia administered to patients
- Check instruments, equipment and surgical set-up to ensure antiseptic and aseptic methods have been followed
- Instruct other medical, nursing and associated staff regarding the preparation of patients as well asinstrument and equipment requirements
- Perform operations
- Prescribe post-operative care and observe and investigate patients' progress
- Maintain records of operations performed.
Working conditions for a Surgeon
Surgeons sometimes deal with unpleasant conditions due to a patient's injury or illness. Adopting strict hygiene practices is important. Depending on the type of surgery being performed, they may spend long hours standing in an operating theatre. Consulting hours, when combined with operating hours, may result in long working days that may include working on weekends and at night, or being on call 24 hours a day.
Specializations
Surgeons work in a variety of medical fields and across a range of specialties and sub-specialties.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
A cardiothoracic surgeon performs heart and lung surgery.
General Surgeon
A general surgeon manages and treats a broad range of conditions, including gastrointestinal, breast and hernia disorders, and laparoscopic evaluations.
Neurosurgeon
A neurosurgeon operates to correct disorders of the brain, spine and nervous system.
Otolaryngologist
An otolaryngologist manages and treats patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat (ENT), and related structures of the neck and face.
Orthopaedic Surgeon
An orthopaedic surgeon treats muscular and skeletal diseases and injuries.
Paediatric Surgeon
A paediatric surgeon provides surgical care and treatment to children and adolescents.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
A plastic and reconstructive surgeon repairs and reshapes muscle and tissue injuries or congenital deformities.
Urologist
An urologist manages and treats disorders of the male and female urinary tract and male reproductive organs.
Vascular Surgeon
A vascular surgeon manages and treats patients with conditions affecting their arteries and veins.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
A cardiothoracic surgeon performs heart and lung surgery.
General Surgeon
A general surgeon manages and treats a broad range of conditions, including gastrointestinal, breast and hernia disorders, and laparoscopic evaluations.
Neurosurgeon
A neurosurgeon operates to correct disorders of the brain, spine and nervous system.
Orthopaedic Surgeon
An orthopaedic surgeon treats muscular and skeletal diseases and injuries.
Otolaryngologist
An otolaryngologist manages and treats patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat (ENT), and related structures of the neck and face.
Paediatric Surgeon
A paediatric surgeon provides surgical care and treatment to children and adolescents.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
A plastic and reconstructive surgeon repairs and reshapes muscle and tissue injuries or congenital deformities.
Surgeon
Surgeons operate on patients to repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, correct deformities, and improve human bodily functions and appearance.
Urologist
An urologist manages and treats disorders of the male and female urinary tract and male reproductive organs.
Vascular Surgeon
A vascular surgeon manages and treats patients with conditions affecting their arteries and veins.
