Specialty Choice: Surgery
General surgery is a discipline of surgery having a central core of knowledge embracing anatomy, physiology, metabolism, immunology, nutrition, pathology, wound healing, shock and resuscitation, intensive care and neoplasia, which are common to all surgical specialties.
A general surgeon has specialized knowledge and experience related to the diagnosis, preoperative, operative and postoperative management, including the management of complications, in nine primary components of surgery, all of which are essential to the education of a broadly based surgeon:
- Alimentary tract
- Abdomen and its contents
- Breast, skin and soft tissue
- Head and neck, including trauma, vascular, endocrine, congenital and oncologic disorders — particularly tumors of the skin, salivary glands, thyroid, parathyroid and the oral cavity
- Vascular system, excluding the intracranial vessels and heart
- Endocrine system, including thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and endocrine pancreas
- Surgical oncology, including coordinated multimodality management of the cancer patient by screening, surveillance, surgical adjunctive therapy, rehabilitation and follow-up
- Comprehensive management of trauma, including musculoskeletal, hand and head injuries. The responsibility for all phases of care of the injured patient is an essential component of general surgery.
- Complete care of critically ill patients with underlying surgical conditions, in the emergency room, intensive care unit and trauma/burn units
(Source: American College of Surgeons)
Associated Societies
Quick Facts
The following information comes from the National Resident Matching Program's Charting Outcomes in the Match 2014 (PDF) based on matched applicants in the United States.
- Step score averages:
- Mean Step 1 of U.S. Matched Applicants: 232
- Mean Step 2 CK of U.S. Matched Applicants: 245
- Average number of research experiences: 3.1
- Average number of abstracts, presentations and publications: 4.4
- Work and Volunteer:
- Average number of work experiences: 3.0
- Average number of volunteer experiences: 6.7
- Mean number of contiguous ranks of U.S. matched applicants: 12.4
Looking into the Future/Changes in Health Care
General surgery is on the "cutting edge" as it continues to reinvent itself to the benefit of the surgical patient. Due to today's high-tech instrumentation and advanced technology, procedures such as major abdominal surgery are now replaced with minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques that often reduce pain, accelerate recuperation and reduce cost without sacrificing good outcomes. Surgical research into disease processes such as immunology and genetics have redefined treatment options specific to individual patients, opening doors to better understanding the etiologies of disease and its progression. (Source: American College of Surgeons, 2016)
Additional Information
- Career Services Focus Newsletter: General Surgery
- Boonshoft School of Medicine Surgery Residency Program
- Boonshoft School of Medicine Surgery Residency Program Director: Randy Woods, M.D.
- Boonshoft School of Medicine Department of Surgery Chair: Mary C. McCarthy, M.D.
- James B. Peoples, M.D., Surgical Society
- Search for recent Wright State graduates who matched in surgery
- Association of American Medical Colleges Careers in Medicine: General Surgery
See the Career Essentials Pilot Page regarding specialty specific advice in General Surgery for more detailed information and resources.
References
- So You Want to Be a Surgeon, American College of Surgeons. (2016).
- General Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis. (2015).
