INTRICACIES OF TRAINING A SURGEON
I think we must firstly look at our training for the junior surgeons. Most don't get opportunities to do true 'general' surgery anymore.
They are not proficient in craniotomies, tenckhoff catheter insertion, avf creation etc anymore due to limited of exposures during rotation in the master’s programme.
Beside that subspecialties in major hospitals further curtails their training and abilities.By time they become proficient, off they go to join a certain subspecialty and when they complete their training the usually keep to their niche fields.Gone are the days when we used to do everything as a general surgeons.
Each hospital is different and have varied needs based on the services provided.I opine we have to provide facilitate the training based on the needs of each of our hospitals.
The fast turnover or movement of specialists also further complicates the matter, as a trained person moves away, joins private or retires the skill is lost.
Sessional by private surgeons could provide the services required for a short term basis.However we should look for a long term solutions.
How to go about this will be the biggest hurdle.
We should assess how we want the juniors to learn during the sub rotation in the master’s programme and ensure that they get enough exposure as they become a junior surgeons.
It is easy said than done. I opine that the 4 years training in master’s is too short to develop a generalist.
Unless the university and training hospitals focus the 3rd and final year students in hands on surgery by letting them to do and supervise them; as the university give importance to the thesis writing.
As most of the time the master’s students made to assist and focus on the thesis which have not much applications in the real working life of them since very few become academic surgeons and most become service surgeons. Beside that the current generations are more concern of their own needs rather than the communities needs.
Absolutely true but I feel Naga the four years training with strict log book writing of each and every procedures to a required number as well as their thesis is enough unless it’s end speciality in Surgery need more skill and to be six years such as Cardio and Neutosurg etc and this six years first two could be in general surgery rotation and little exposure in the respective fields and followed by remaining four in areas of speciality . Students must be taught to do both open and laparoscopic surgery .Simulation training is equally important during training since after simulation training and doing surgery , complications are less. Simulation lab may be costly but it’s very real feel the operator gets .Regular clinical teaching must be on and some one should engage them and students to find cases and bring to Prof etc .
ReplyDelete