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Vanessa
Student
Saginaw, Michigan
1
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`How did you know what type of surgeon you wanted to be?
I know I want to be a surgeon, but i'm not sure how to later decide what type I wanna be.
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3 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Vanessa!
Choosing the kind of surgeon you want to be is a big decision that can shape your medical career. It needs you to think deeply about what you love, what you're good at, and how you want to make a difference in the world of medicine. There's no one perfect answer, but here are some steps to help you figure it out.
1. Discover the World of Surgical Specialties:
The first thing you need to do is learn about the different kinds of surgery you could specialize in. Surgery is a huge field with lots of different areas to focus on. Some of these include general surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, plastic surgery, and many more. Spend some time getting to know what each specialty involves, who you'd be helping, what kind of surgeries you'd be doing, and what your career could look like.
2. Think About What You Love:
When you're deciding on a specialty, think about what you're passionate about. What kind of patients do you love helping? What medical conditions do you find interesting? What surgeries do you find exciting? For example, if you love the idea of helping athletes and are interested in the musculoskeletal system, orthopedic surgery could be a great fit for you. Thinking about what you love can help point you towards a specialty that you'll be excited about and motivated to excel in.
3. Learn From Real-World Experience:
One of the best ways to understand the different specialties is to see them in action. During your medical school or early residency, make sure to spend time in different surgical departments. You'll get to see different surgeries, talk to surgeons from different specialties, and get a feel for what it's like to work in that field. This can help you figure out what you're interested in, see if you're a good fit for the specialty, and make a well-informed decision about your career.
4. Get Advice From Those Who Know Best:
Talking to experienced surgeons can give you a lot of insight into the different specialties. Try to set up informational interviews or shadowing opportunities with surgeons from different fields. Ask them about their experiences, the challenges they face, and what they love about their specialty. Their advice can help you navigate your decision and give you a unique perspective from inside the field.
5. Think About Your Lifestyle:
When you're choosing a specialty, it's important to think about how it will fit into your life. Different specialties can have different demands when it comes to working hours, on-call schedules, and patient populations. Some might require more time or have more emergencies, while others might have more predictable schedules or elective procedures. Thinking about these things can help you choose a career that fits with your personal goals and priorities.
6. Be Open to Change:
Remember, it's okay if your interests and preferences change over time as you learn more about the different specialties. It's okay to not know exactly what you want at first or to change your mind later. Being open and adaptable can help you explore all your options before making a final decision.
In the end, choosing the kind of surgeon you want to be involves thinking about a lot of different things like learning about the different specialties, thinking about what you're passionate about, getting real-world experience, talking to experienced surgeons, thinking about your lifestyle, and being open to change. By taking these steps and spending time thinking about what you want, you'll be well-prepared to make a decision about your future.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names:
1. American College of Surgeons (https://www.facs.org/)
2. Association of American Medical Colleges (https://www.aamc.org/)
3. Medscape (https://www.medscape.com/)
Choosing the kind of surgeon you want to be is a big decision that can shape your medical career. It needs you to think deeply about what you love, what you're good at, and how you want to make a difference in the world of medicine. There's no one perfect answer, but here are some steps to help you figure it out.
1. Discover the World of Surgical Specialties:
The first thing you need to do is learn about the different kinds of surgery you could specialize in. Surgery is a huge field with lots of different areas to focus on. Some of these include general surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, plastic surgery, and many more. Spend some time getting to know what each specialty involves, who you'd be helping, what kind of surgeries you'd be doing, and what your career could look like.
2. Think About What You Love:
When you're deciding on a specialty, think about what you're passionate about. What kind of patients do you love helping? What medical conditions do you find interesting? What surgeries do you find exciting? For example, if you love the idea of helping athletes and are interested in the musculoskeletal system, orthopedic surgery could be a great fit for you. Thinking about what you love can help point you towards a specialty that you'll be excited about and motivated to excel in.
3. Learn From Real-World Experience:
One of the best ways to understand the different specialties is to see them in action. During your medical school or early residency, make sure to spend time in different surgical departments. You'll get to see different surgeries, talk to surgeons from different specialties, and get a feel for what it's like to work in that field. This can help you figure out what you're interested in, see if you're a good fit for the specialty, and make a well-informed decision about your career.
4. Get Advice From Those Who Know Best:
Talking to experienced surgeons can give you a lot of insight into the different specialties. Try to set up informational interviews or shadowing opportunities with surgeons from different fields. Ask them about their experiences, the challenges they face, and what they love about their specialty. Their advice can help you navigate your decision and give you a unique perspective from inside the field.
5. Think About Your Lifestyle:
When you're choosing a specialty, it's important to think about how it will fit into your life. Different specialties can have different demands when it comes to working hours, on-call schedules, and patient populations. Some might require more time or have more emergencies, while others might have more predictable schedules or elective procedures. Thinking about these things can help you choose a career that fits with your personal goals and priorities.
6. Be Open to Change:
Remember, it's okay if your interests and preferences change over time as you learn more about the different specialties. It's okay to not know exactly what you want at first or to change your mind later. Being open and adaptable can help you explore all your options before making a final decision.
In the end, choosing the kind of surgeon you want to be involves thinking about a lot of different things like learning about the different specialties, thinking about what you're passionate about, getting real-world experience, talking to experienced surgeons, thinking about your lifestyle, and being open to change. By taking these steps and spending time thinking about what you want, you'll be well-prepared to make a decision about your future.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names:
1. American College of Surgeons (https://www.facs.org/)
2. Association of American Medical Colleges (https://www.aamc.org/)
3. Medscape (https://www.medscape.com/)
Madison Buchman
doctor
112
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
Great question! there are lots of surgical fields. Some fields you will have more long term care of patients and some it is mostly acute care (i.e. you meet the patient, do surgery, have a follow up and then they are no longer seeing you) vs. some careers like obgyn for instance you will operate on many patients that you care for in other aspects of their lives and you will also do many other interesting things in your career other than just surgery!
Anasa Lattibeaudaire
Career Counselor
24
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Anasa’s Answer
Hi Vanessa,
I think pursuing a career in surgery is a great choice.
Choosing a surgical specialty is dependent upon your interests as well as long-term goals. What aspect of surgery excites you the most? Think about the patients you'd like to work with and the lifestyle you envision.
You can also immerse yourself in research and hands-on experiences. Talk to surgeons, shadow them in the operating room, and ask questions about their daily lives. These opportunities will be valuable to you as you complete clinical rotations in a medical program.
While I'm not a surgeon, it's common for many aspiring surgeons to discover their preferred specialty during clinical rotations. They might initially lean towards one field, but find a different specialty that resonates with them more as they gain hands-on experience.
I think pursuing a career in surgery is a great choice.
Choosing a surgical specialty is dependent upon your interests as well as long-term goals. What aspect of surgery excites you the most? Think about the patients you'd like to work with and the lifestyle you envision.
You can also immerse yourself in research and hands-on experiences. Talk to surgeons, shadow them in the operating room, and ask questions about their daily lives. These opportunities will be valuable to you as you complete clinical rotations in a medical program.
While I'm not a surgeon, it's common for many aspiring surgeons to discover their preferred specialty during clinical rotations. They might initially lean towards one field, but find a different specialty that resonates with them more as they gain hands-on experience.