2. INTRODUCTION
• General Surgeons require the broad knowledge of
a spectrum of diseases that could possibly be
surgical (Specialty, 2013).
• They primarily deal with the abdomen, the
gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, vascular
system, and skin, breast, and soft tissue.
• General Surgeons see a range of healthy, critically
ill, and trauma patients, as well as patients from all
age categories (Important Details).
3. HISTORY OF GENERAL SURGERY
• Surgery can be dated back to the Neolithic and Egyptian
periods (~3000 BC) with the practicing of trephining, which
involved cutting a small hole in the head “in effort to cure
migraines.”
• Surgical techniques were enhanced with the development of
surgical instruments during the time of the Ancient Greeks,
allowing them to set bones, perform amputations, and drain
the lungs of someone with pneumonia.
• During the Medieval Times, surgeons, who were sometimes
barbers, performed bloodletting to help patients recover from
illnesses.
• It wasn’t until the 1900s that surgery significantly improved and
specialized with the development of safe blood transfusions,
antibiotics, such as penicillin, and new technology, such as x-
rays (Science).
4. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
• In order to become a general surgeon, one must
earn a baccalaureate degree through an
undergraduate program (four years) before
continuing to medical school to earn their medical
degree (four years).
• Then they complete a 5 year residency program in
general surgery where they will specialize their
knowledge of the abdomen, the gastrointestinal
tract, endocrine system, vascular system, and skin,
breast, and soft tissue (Swierzewski, 2001).
• 4.5 years must be spent in clinical surgery, while no more
than six months can be devoted to nonsurgical clinical
disciplines (Timmerman).
5. MEDICAL SCHOOLS AND
REQUIREMENTS
• Medical University of South Carolina
• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores are required and
at least 90 semester hours. There are no prerequisites courses
required (Medical University of South Carolina).
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Columbia)
• MCAT scores along with at least 90 semester hours. The following
courses are required/encouraged: English, General Biology,
General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, History, and
Biochemistry (University of South Carolina).
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville
• MCAT scores along with at least 90 semester hours. The following
courses are required/encouraged: Biology, General Chemistry,
Organic Chemistry, Physics, Three semesters of Humanities, Social,
and Behavioral Sciences, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Genetics
(University of South Carolina – Greenville).
6. RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
• After earning a medical degree, future general surgeons
are placed in a 5 year general surgery residency where
they further gain knowledge and experience in
operation and procedures (Specialty, 2013).
• There are 247 participating residency programs in the
United States, 5 of which can be found in South Carolina
through the following programs:
• Medical University of South Carolina Program
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine Program
(Palmetto Health)
• University of South Carolina Program (Greenville Health System)
• Grand Strand Regional Medical Center Program
• Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Program (ERAS)
7. LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION
• In order for a doctor to practice, he or she must be
licensed in the given state they are in.
• In addition to state licensing, a doctor, voluntarily,
can get board certified indicating their high level of
skills and knowledge in a particular specialty.
• A general surgeon would get a general certificate
in Surgery (General Surgery) by the American Board
of Surgery.
• Re-certification is required every 7 to 10 years
(American).
8. SUB-SPECIALTIES
• A general surgeon may do additional
training in a sub-specialty where they,
again, can get a general board certification
in the following areas:
• Vascular Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Hospice and Palliative Medicine
• Pediatric Surgery
• Surgery of the Hand
• Surgical Critical Care (American).
9. GROWTH POTENTIAL AND
JOB PROSPECTS
• From 2012 to 2022 there is projected to be an 18%
employment growth for physicians and surgeons, with a
total of 123,300 additional jobs.
• This is about 7% faster than the average growth for all
occupations.
• The job growth is due to the continual development of the
health-care industry.
• Job Prospects
• Physicians looking to practice in rural areas should have good
prospects. This is because this these low-income areas usually
have difficulty enticing physicians.
• Also, those that specialize in areas that deal with health issues
affecting the aging baby boomers should have good job
prospects (Summary).
10. SALARY
• The median income for General Surgeons as of 2012
was found to be $367,885.
• This salary is dependent on the number of years the
physician has been practicing, the location of the
physician, as well as, number of hours worked and the
physician’s skills and reputation (Summary).
• If one was to further sub-specialize in Pediatric
Surgery, the median starting salary, in 2012, was
$295,000.
• After about 6 years of practicing, the average salary was
$401,000.
• This salary, again, is depended on years of experience,
location, and personal qualifications (2011- 2012 Physician).
11. O*NET PROFILER
• Investigative
• As a general surgeon, each patient would present varying
symptoms and illnesses, to which I would apply necessary
problem solving skills.
• Due to the fact that each patients’ body is unique, each
surgical procedure would be a new challenge.
• Social
• As a general surgeon, and effective doctor-patient
relationship is built upon proper communication skills.
• In order for my patients to feel comfortable and trust me to
make the best decisions for their lives and well-beings, I
would need to be able to interact with them at an
appropriately understood level (O*NET).
12. WHY AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE?
• While my extensive shadowing has allowed me to
observe various surgical specialties, my recent
shadowing experience in Chiang Mai, Thailand granted
me the opportunity to study procedures in the general
surgery field.
• The general purpose of the surgery was given initially, but the
minor details were left for us to figure out ourselves. Due to the
vast language barrier present, my investigative quality was
utilized effectively.
• My job as a physical therapists’ aide has give me
noticeably more social experience.
• Patients require constant interaction, explanations, and
reassurance that they are preforming their exercises correctly.
• This contact has enhanced my communication skills for future
use as a general surgeon.
13. CONCLUSION
• General Surgeons have the flexibility to remain in
general surgery or further sub-specialize in a field of
their choice, whether it be by age or specific body
system.
• Given the broad spectrum of conditions and
surgical procedures done by general surgeons, as
well as, the ability to work with all age groups, no
two days are the same (A Guide).
• With the aging baby boomer population and
constant changes in health care, general surgery
remains a highly demanded and innovative field
insuring a future for these doctors (Timmerman).
14. WORKS CITIED
• A Guide to Surgical Specialists. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2015, from
https://www.facs.org/education/patient-education/patient-
resources/specialists#general
• American Board of Surgery. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2015, from
http://www.certificationmatters.org/abms-member-boards/surgery.aspx
• ERAS 2015 Participating Specialties & Programs. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2015,
from
https://services.aamc.org/eras/erasstats/par/display8.cfm?NAV_ROW=PAR&SPEC_C
D=440
• Important Details About (Almost) Every Medical Specialty. (n.d.). Retrieved January
26, 2015, from http://medicalschoolhq.net/important-details-about-almost-every-
medical-specialty/#gensurg
• Medical University of South Carolina. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2015, from
http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/com/admissions/applying_college/
• O*NET Resource Center-Interest Profiler (IP). (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2015, from
http://www.onetcenter.org/IP.html
• Science Museum, Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine. (n.d.) Retrieved
January 26, 2015, from
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/themes/surgery.aspx
15. WORKS CITED CONTINUED
• Specialty of General Surgery Defined | American Board of Surgery. (2013, March 1).
Retrieved January 26, 2015, from
http://www.absurgery.org/default.jsp?aboutsurgerydefined
• Summary. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2015, from
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm
• Swierzewski, S. (2001, November 1). General Surgeon Board Certification, Education
& Training. Retrieved January 26, 2015, from
http://www.healthcommunities.com/before-after-surgery/education-training-
certification-general-surgeon.shtml
• Timmerman, G. (n.d.). General Surgery. Retrieved January 26, 2015, from
https://www.facs.org/education/resources/residency-search/specialties/general
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2015,
from http://admissions.med.sc.edu/admissions.requirements.asp
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville. (n.d.). Retrieved
January 26, 2015, from http://greenvillemed.sc.edu/admission.shtml
• 2011-2012 Physician Salary Survey – Profiles- ProfilesDatabase.com. (n.d.). Retrieved
January 26, 2015, from http://www.profilesdatabase.com/resources/2011-2012-
physician-salary-survey
