General surgeons are medical specialists who carry out operations on a variety of bodily areas. This includes the surgical treatment of abdominal organs such as the intestine and colon, and also breast cancer and hernias.
This is therefore a varied area of surgery, but there are changes afoot, with more sub-specialist areas being created from this general practice. However, at the current time, there are still many general practitioners operating in the UK. It is not only a prowess at surgical procedures that is of great importance but also a desire to ensure patients are at ease. This will also involve aftercare to make sure the results of surgery remain a success.
Work activities
The typical work duties of a general surgeon include:
- Make sure that patients understand the surgical procedure you are about to undertake.
- Analyse and maintain patient records.
- A general surgeon will work in immensely stressful situations, during which they will need to make quick life changing decisions.
- A surgeon will need to maintain an excellent level of physical and mental fitness.
- Surgical operations may need to be conducted about three times a week and can last for several hours in some cases.
- Dexterity and hand-eye coordination will need to be maintained.
- A general surgeon will need to study through out their career in order to advance, but also to learn of any new surgical procedures.
- Carry out physical examinations and other tests to diagnose patients and recommend the necessary treatment.
- There is the possibility that you will need to be on call for emergencies.
- Make sure that communication with other professionals is maintained.
- Cleanliness will need to be upheld.
- May also need to carry out research and write papers for publication.
Essential skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent knowledge of science, medicine and physiology.
- Able to work as an individual and as part of a medical team consisting of various professionals.
- Desire to help people overcome their medical difficulties.
- High level of interest in and an aptitude for medicine and surgery.
- Ability to lead people during difficult times.
- Able to cope with grief and death.
- Desire to always keep improving your skills and knowledge.
- Good IT skills.
- Work to a high standard of professionalism.
- Able to pass on your wisdom to other upcoming surgeons.