Surgeon Phoenix works in hospitals, clinics and surgical centers, utilizing their medical knowledge to treat patients. Their dedication to precision and patient safety makes surgery an integral part of modern medicine.
Stereotypes are commonly held, fixed, and simplified images or ideas about a particular type of person. However, surgeons are responding to a variety of trends that are shifting the image of the profession.
A surgeon’s responsibilities and duties revolve around patient care. This includes assessing patients in clinics, conducting ward rounds and creating post-operation treatment plans. They are also responsible for prescribing medication and referring patients to physical therapy specialists. Surgeons also take part in medical research and outreach projects to stay up-to-date on surgical procedures and best practices. They may also provide telemedicine services to patients.
Physicians and surgeons have similar training during their time in medical school, but their education diverges once they complete a residency program. Physicians are trained to treat patients through non-invasive methods, such as medicine and lifestyle changes. Surgeons are able to perform invasive surgeries and procedures.
During a surgery, surgeons must make quick decisions under pressure. They must also be able to work long hours and be on call for emergencies outside of office hours. Because of these demands, many surgeons find that they experience high levels of stress and burnout.
When deciding to pursue this career, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully. For example, surgeons can enjoy great personal satisfaction from being able to improve the health and well-being of their patients. They can also find a variety of employment opportunities, including in hospitals and private practice. However, the demanding nature of the job can be difficult to balance with a family life or other personal commitments.
After completing a residency, surgeons are eligible to be licensed in their state. They may also choose to become board certified in their specialty, which enhances their reputation and improves their career prospects. Surgeons can also gain a competitive edge by participating in a fellowship, which further develops their skills and allows them to focus on specific aspects of their field.
Before undergoing surgery, it’s a good idea for patients to speak with other people who have undergone the same procedure. This can help them feel more informed about the experience and what to expect from the recovery process. It’s also worth mentioning any concerns or worries you have to your surgeon. This will give them a better understanding of your unique situation and help you feel more comfortable during the operation.
Decision-Making
Surgeons have a responsibility to provide their patients with the best medical care possible, including helping them make choices about surgery. But it is not always easy to do that, especially in high-stakes surgical situations where the outcome can have major consequences for both patient and surgeon. A number of surgeons have experienced regret in these situations, even in the absence of error. Some of these experiences stem from poor communication or miscommunication about options, expectations, and prognoses. A communication framework based on the principles of robust shared decision-making (SDM) may help mitigate some of these regret experiences.
A recent qualitative study of 20 surgeons whose specialties include trauma, vascular medicine and surgical oncology focused on understanding their thoughts about decision-making with their patients during life-or-death situations. The investigators conducted face-to-face interviews with the surgeons, who practiced at academic medical centers.
The researchers identified five factors that influence surgeons’ decision-making, namely: medical condition factors, information factors, institutional factors, patient factors and surgeon factors. Medical condition factors include a patient’s symptoms and signs, the severity of the medical condition and whether the diagnosis is malignant or benign. These are important considerations in deciding whether a patient needs urgent or emergent surgery.
Information factors include the availability of guidelines and Class 1 evidence about treatment options. Surgeons also take into account the length of time since a surgical procedure was performed and how well the patient has recovered. Institutional factors include the surgeon’s geographical location (country/province, city or hospital), their ties with colleagues and mentors, and the surgical resources available at the hospital they work in. Surgeons think that these factors affect their ability to use innovative surgical procedures that are still evolving and to determine if the benefits of these techniques outweigh the risks.
Finally, patient factors include a surgeon’s own ego and the pressure from family members, other doctors and the hospital to operate in life-or-death situations. Some surgeons believe that their own personal experience or wisdom gained from mentoring others influences their decision-making in these situations and they have a hard time giving up on their beliefs about what is best for the patient.
Communication
Surgeons use their medical knowledge, surgical expertise and specialized skills to perform life-saving operations. They must be able to communicate effectively with patients and medical teams, as well as make decisions quickly. This demanding career requires a lot of time and commitment, but the impact that surgeons can have on patient’s lives makes it worthwhile.
Medical students interested in becoming surgeons should take part in a shadowing program or volunteer at a hospital to get a feel for the profession. They should also prepare a CV that highlights their education, training and certifications. It’s also important to consider the work environment and lifestyle of a surgeon, which may include long hours and a high degree of stress.
Once they have a firm grasp on the requirements of the job, surgeons should apply for an internship in a hospital or private practice. They should also consider applying to a fellowship program, which is a postgraduate opportunity for surgeons who want to focus on a specific area of surgery. A fellowship can be a great way to gain experience in a specific area of medicine, and it may lead to a job offer.
It’s important for surgeons to set expectations with their patients. This includes discussing both the possible outcomes of surgery and the risks associated with it. It’s also important for surgeons to help their patients understand how the results of the procedure will affect their daily activities. This can help reduce anxiety and discomfort for both the patient and medical team during treatment.
Another important aspect of communication is breaking bad news to patients. This can be difficult, but it’s essential to ensure that patients are aware of their diagnosis and the consequences of treatment. Providing information in small portions, using simple words and periodically assessing the impact can help minimize the shock that often accompanies bad news.
It’s also essential for surgeons to keep up-to-date on the latest advancements in their field. They should join professional medical societies to stay informed of new guidelines and best practices, and they should also participate in conferences to learn about new procedures and techniques.
Teamwork
In surgical settings, teamwork is essential to patient outcomes. A surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurses, and other professionals must work together to ensure that the procedure goes smoothly and that the patient is safe. Each member of the team plays a critical role, from preparing the patient for surgery to monitoring their vital signs afterward. Surgical mistakes can have serious consequences, so it is important for all members of the team to be on the same page and to have clear communication channels.
A surgeon must be able to lead and delegate tasks effectively, as well as manage time and resources efficiently. They must also be able to work under pressure and remain calm in stressful situations. In addition, they must be able to identify and resolve conflicts with colleagues. This is especially important in high-risk surgeries, such as those performed on children or patients with complex diseases.
Although the concept of teamwork is ingrained in healthcare practices, formal programs to teach or monitor team proficiency have yet to become established in most institutions. Moreover, many of the key components of teamwork are developed in an informal and tacit manner, and they are often practiced unsystematically. Nevertheless, the concept of teamwork should be formally incorporated into medical education and be considered an integral part of professional ethics in surgery.
Surgical training programs that emphasize teamwork, mentorship, and critical thinking will play an important role in developing the next generation of surgeons. Such programs will also help to bridge the gap between HICs and LICs by supporting the development of local capacity building and fostering sustainable surgical care.
The recent emergence of surgical coaching programs, which are based on coaching techniques from business and sports, provides an opportunity for surgeons to develop skills that can be applied to their clinical practice. These skills can include: 1. Establishing clear communication channels between members of the team; 2. Facilitating a culture of respect and trust; 3. Providing timely feedback; 4. Encouraging collaboration with other health professionals; 5. Fostering critical thinking and ethical decision-making; and 6. Strengthening non-technical competencies such as interpersonal skills.
