All surgeons are physicians, but not all physicians are surgeons!
A surgeon is able to remove diseased tissue or organs, repair body systems, or replace diseased organs with transplants. Surgeons can be general surgeons and perform all types of surgery, or they can be specialized, such as heart surgeons, brain surgeons, dentists, or veterinarians.
Surgery involves the cutting of a patient’s tissues or closure of a previously sustained wound. Surgery can be performed on a human or an animal in order to repair and diagnose internal problems.
Surgeons operate in the event of illness, injury, or disease, and can perform any number of different surgical procedures on the body. Sometimes surgeries are performed to correct problems in the body or to explore the cause of internal bleeding.
Surgeons carry out specific procedures and are in charge of all aspects of the surgery process. They oversee surgical technicians and ensure all standards of care and safety are followed in the operating room.
Surgeons can perform minimally invasive and uncomplicated procedures that last just a few minutes, or invasive and complicated surgeries that can take several hours. Since human life is at risk, surgeons must be alert, prepared for all types of emergency situations, and be able to carry out lifesaving initiatives at any time during an operation.
Surgical procedures are typically categorized by urgency, type of procedure, body system involved, and the degree of invasiveness:
Elective surgery – involves a non-life-threatening condition and is usually done by appointment depending on the surgeon’s availability.
Semi-elective surgery – is done to avoid permanent disability or death, but can be put off for a short time.
Emergency surgery – must be done quickly to save life, limb, or functional capacity.
Exploratory surgery – is done to help in confirming a diagnosis.
Therapeutic surgery – deals with a previously diagnosed condition.
Cosmetic surgery – is done to improve the appearance of an otherwise normal structure.
The workplace of a surgeon is primarily in the operating room, however it is also common to meet with patients in an office setting or in a hospital room.
Surgeons are on their feet for many hours at a time. A day often begins very early in the morning performing surgeries. Rounds are often done in the afternoon or evening to check on patients.
Emergency surgeries do happen, so surgeons are often on call even on their scheduled days off. The life of a surgeon is often very demanding with little personal time. Surgeons often forgo their own personal and family life for the satisfaction of helping their patients.
A person working in Surgery in Kenya typically earns around KSH422,000 per month. Salaries range from KSH142,000 (lowest average) to KSH656,000 (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
Demand for most types of physicians and surgeons is expected to increase despite factors that can temper growth. New technologies, such as for remote monitoring, are expected to allow physicians to treat more patients in the same amount of time.
While there is not a specific degree required for undergraduate study, aspiring surgeons tend to concentrate their coursework in advanced biological sciences to meet admission requirements for medical school.
Students must graduate from an accredited bachelor’s degree program with pre-med courses, such as microbiology, biochemistry, and human anatomy. Also recommended are classes in English, advanced mathematics, and statistics. Most medical schools require a grade point average of at least 3.5 and may choose only those candidates who rank at the top of their graduating class.
During undergraduate study, it is also important for students to gain experience that will set them apart from other medical school applicants and prepare them for their chosen career. This experience may include volunteering at a hospital, performing community service, and research work.
