The career path for becoming a general surgeon is demanding; it requires a high level of manual dexterity, unfaltering determination, and a desire to achieve perfection.
The path to becoming a general surgeon normally follows five steps, in which aspiring practitioners must pass several exams, obtain years of specialty training, and complete the necessary requirements to become licensed surgeons.
The first step towards becoming a surgeon is to apply for Core Surgical Training (CT1- CT2) after completing two years of foundation training.
After completing the foundation training, passing the MRCS Exam, and obtaining a specialty training post, aspiring surgeons will proceed to participate in specialty training (ST3- ST8) to enhance their skills.
During their training period, aspiring general surgeons will enjoy the flexibility of selecting from a variety of subspecialties, including breast surgery, transplant surgery, endocrine surgery, bariatric surgery, and colorectal surgery.
Upon completion of specialty training, trainees will be awarded a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR).
General surgical consultants will experience horizontal career advancement and establish robust backgrounds in a broad range of surgical work alongside their subspecialty.
It's essential to note that competition for specialty training and a career in general surgery is quite strong, making it crucial to have all the necessary qualifications from high-performance university academics.
The path towards becoming a general surgeon requires a combination of rigor, discipline, and passion.
General surgeons save lives and care for patients' quality of life; thus, the journey is well worth the effort.