Surgeon


Introduction

A surgeon is a type of physician. If you have ever thought of becoming a surgeon, this article is for you.


What is it like to be a surgeon?

It's challenging but at the meantime rewarding. It is a job that can prey upon you physically and mentally. Doctors often feel proud when they help patients recover, but they can also feel devastated when they lose a patient. It also requires strong communication skills.


What do surgeons do?

They are responsible for assessing your condition and reaching a diagnosis, identifying the type of surgical treatment you need, performing the operation, leading a team of healthcare providers involved in the operation, including surgical assistants, anesthesiologist and nurses, and managing the care of the patient after surgery (postoperative care).


What do surgeons do on a typical day?

They first examine their patients and view their medical history. Then, they learn more about the patient's condition to establish a diagnosis and give the right treatment. Second, if they have a surgical procedure that is scheduled, they perform it. Last but not least, they finish their day by checking one last time on their patients.


Where do surgeons work?

In hospitals, Clinics and specialized medical centers.


How can I become a surgeon?

First, you must complete a premed program in college, during the last year, you must take the MCAT exam and apply to medical school. Second, you have to attend medical school that lasts four years: the first two years focus more on classroom training, and the last two years involve clinical study in hospitals. Then, in the fourth year, you choose a specialty. After medical school, you must pass a lot of medical exams like the USLME to eventually complete internship then residency, which can take several years depending on the specialty.


How much money do surgeons make?

Experienced doctors, whether general practitioners or a specialist, command very high salaries. It's around 300-400k per year. But, they also have to pay their student's debts.


What kinds of additional training do surgeons need?

They must complete residency and may also need years of specialized training depending on the specialty, so medical education continues throughout their career.


What are the dangers of being a surgeon?

It's physically and mentally demanding. Surgeons can work long hours, and also have to deal with stressful situations, for example, when a patient is dying on the surgical table, and they have to think fast to make the right decisions. They can also be dealing with dangerous patients like prisoners. Also, a very common situation that when a surgeon loses a patient, the family wants to take revenge so his life is in danger.


What are the chances that surgeons will be replaced by robots soon?

Zero, because doctors must use human judgments and connect with patients to take the right decisions about treatments.


What age do surgeons retire at?

It's not a specific age because surgeons continue to work even if their age is past 70 years old since they have a lot of experience. It's more of a personal decision or when a surgeon or a physician is not able to do his job anymore.


Conclusion

In conclusion, being a surgeon or a physician is a very tiring job but also rewarding at the same time.Their job acquires a lot of education and training while facing mental and physical challenges. However, they play an essential role in our lives that can't be replaced.


More by this author

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Sources and RADARS ratings

Source: https://www.princetonreview.com/careers/115/physician

Rationale: to inform or educate

Authority: recognized author

Date: still relevant

Accuracy: probably true

Relevance: relevant for this document

Sources: cites sources


Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/surgeon

Rationale: to inform or educate

Authority: recognized author

Date: recently published

Accuracy: probably true

Relevance: relevant for this document

Sources: cites sources


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