Surgery Specialty Profile

Surgery

Surgery is a branch of medicine in which diseases are treated with operative procedures. The ever growing complexity of medical practice has led to increasing doctor specialization and this is particularly evident for surgeons. There are currently nine officially recognized surgical specialties and a myriad of subspecialties. Surgery is very ‘hands on’ and surgeons feel the technical challenge to be one of the more rewarding aspects of their career.

Many surgical procedures have immediate and dramatic impacts on patient’s health and quality of life. Removing a grumbling appendix or meningioma successfully will save a patient’s life and the results are more immediately apparent than administering a vaccine which may just as essential. Those considering a surgical career need to be dedicated and driven given life as a surgeon, particularly during surgical training, can exert both a physical and mental strain. High workloads and increasing concerns over medical litigation may be stressful for surgeons and their families. Nonetheless, the clear majority of surgeons are happy with their career choice and would choose it again.

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Surgery Training Program

Training Program

Entry into surgical training is changing. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is introducing a ‘Surgical Education and Training’ or SET framework. This will replace the old Basic Surgical Training (BST)/Advanced Surgical Training (AST) framework which will cease in 2007.... more

Application Process

With the SET framework, candidates apply directly to the surgical specialty of their choice and then undergo a five or six year training program. Fellowship may be undertaken following the completion of this training program. This structure is different from... more

Length of Training

Within the new Surgical Education and Training framework, candidates apply directly to the surgical specialty of their choice and then undergo a five or six year training program not including fellowship.... more

Cost of Training

Fees for selection/application to training programs: Selection Registration Fee: $350 (plus GST) Selection Processing Fee: $500 per specialty (plus GST) Neither of these fees are refunded if applicants are unsuccessful. Urology, Orthopaedics and Plastic and Reconstructive surgery charge will charge... more

Availability/Competition for training positions

In 2007 there were 1538 applications from 1000 applicants over all surgical specialties excluding maxillofacial. 198 SET 1 and 274 SET 2 positions were appointed. Basic surgical trainees were offered 80% of these places.... more

Flexibility in Training

Part time training and interrupted training is available. Part time training is available at 50% commitment. At least one year of full time training must be completed. For further information contact the College of Surgeons directly.... more

Surgery Case Study

Seamus McHugh

Seamus McHugh

Name: Seamus McHugh

Career stage: Registrar

Location: Dublin

Medical Specialty: Surgery

What attracted you to this training program?

I’ve always found surgery more interesting than other medical fields. In it, I feel I have a greater opportunity to have a positive impact on patient’s lives than I would in any other speciality. It’s a challenging path, and one in which I will be constantly learning, which is important to me as an individual....

What do you enjoy the most about this training program?

As it is 2 years of basic surgical training I get to work in 4 different areas of surgery. Here in Ireland the 2 year scheme usually consists of 1 year General Surgery, 6 months of either A&E or Ortho, and 6 months of a speciality surgery, which for me will be Neurosurgery next year. This experience of working in several different fields means I can become a more rounded surgeon when I finish my training, with a broad basic knowledge. Also working in several surgical specialities during basic tr...

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Surgery Workplace

The workplace

Patients are referred to surgeons by general medical practitioners and other specialists. The work setting, diseases encountered, and procedures performed are dependent largely upon the subspecialty.... more

The doctor-patient relationship

Surgical patients come from all age groups and all walks of life. Some require simple procedures with a short period of convalescence while others will need multiple procedures for complex problems. Undergoing an operation can be a distressing experience and... more

Intellectual content

All surgeons are required to have in depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology and surgical technique as well as in depth knowledge of the medical and surgical conditions pertaining to their particular subspecialty.... more

Lifestyle and Practice Options

Surgical career options are extremely varied. Work hours, on-call and income depend on a number of factors such as subspecialty and practice type (public or private, individual or group). Surgical Specialties: Urology ENT Paediatric General Surgery Neurosurgery Cardiothoracic Surgery Vascular... more

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