It takes an incredible amount of courage to be associated with the field of surgery. Being a surgeon is a role of responsibility. It is entering a world where one sees the most intricate organs of the human body only to save lives. A surgeon primarily caters to the patients’ injuries, abnormalities, deformities and diseases like tumours. The surgeon operates on them by performing surgery. There are many types of operational surgeons. With the cardiothoracic and neurosurgeons being the most popular, some of the other types are namely: Obstetric and gynaecological surgeon, general surgeon, Otolaryngology surgeon, orthopaedic surgeon, plastic surgeon etc. Here are 8 tips to grow your career as a surgeon:
Master the basic motor skills:
For you to grow a career as a surgeon, you need to make sure you are excellent at your craft. You must be quick enough to notice the important details and observe the severity of the injury. The coordination between the eye and the hand is very important. You need to implement what you see and act according to your instinct. Know that one move of yours can either make or break. Thus, be very precise in your movement but do not let your actions be in haste.
Be competent:
To remain in demand in any profession, it is important to be competent in accordance with the recent trends and developments. You must upgrade your resume with respect to your specific specialisation. Technology has also progressed and blended with the field of medical science. Make sure you are equipped with all the necessary skills that can act as a bonus to your medical profession. Do understand all the software involved and be well versed with technical knowledge.
Exhibit leadership skills:
A surgeon always works in a team. For this, your communication must be smooth and clear. Irrespective of your role, you should have it within you to take the ownership and lead a team. Coordination amongst team members is very integral in surgery. The team always comprises of surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists and other medical professions. All of them are meant to support each other and make the surgery successful.
Exhibit great planning and problem-solving skills:
Every surgeon needs to be able to assess the medical complication well. If the treatment is compromised in any manner, it can be a big obstacle in your career as a surgeon. Thus, diagnose the problem well and make a plan with your team. The intervention needs to devised strategically. For a long and smooth career, you need to make sure your cases involve zero risks and have been solved efficiently.
Improve your physical stamina:
Surgeries are known to be extensively long. For you to have a good reputation for performing successful surgeries, make sure you take care of your health. If you want to have the stamina and energy to conduct 14 hour-long surgeries, you need to perform the right exercises. Make sure that you are physically active. Maintain a balanced diet and pay good attention to the number of hours you sleep. Your mind needs to be completely alert during the time of surgery.
Make sure you have a good educational background:
Institutions that aim at academic excellence and provide you with the right platform to grow in your career are very important. Make sure your basics are done in the right place. This will give you a solid foundation for your overall career. At the end of the day, one can indicate mastery over the craft by knowing the concepts very well. Some of the top institutions are AIIMS, Christian Medical College, Chandigarh University, JIPMER etc.
Gain experience in multiple sectors:
Medical professionals work in many settings. They work under the general public sector, the government sector, the army sector and the private sector. If you have the experience to work in different settings, you will become a versatile professional with expanded knowledge and skills. Moreover, it adds diversity to your work experience making your career in the profession more stable.
Maintain a good patient record:
At the end of the day, your clients are your patients. You save their lives and give them healthier options. The way you conduct yourself is very important. The power of word-of-mouth is very important. Never underestimate the reviews of your patients. It is them that will keep your career stable as a medical practitioner. Make sure that you treat every case with the maximum amount of attention. If you are hardworking, your patients will sense that and will recommend you to other people
Being in the medical profession is not easy. It involves long hours of commitment and dedication. It can become very pressurising to deal with severe cases. It can be emotionally disturbing too. However, to sustain in this career requires will power, determination and impeccable strength. With these tips, you can ensure yourself a long career and prosperous growth as a surgeon.
