Wander to Become a Medical Surgeon: Explore the Path of Medicine Industry

Do you fancy becoming a doctor and working to treat and cure human diseases? Are you prepared for a long period of preparation to become a specialist Surgeon? Five and a half years to get an MBBS, then another 3 years to get an MS. To become a Super Specialist Surgeon, you will need an M.Ch. or FRCS or similar Post Graduate qualification. That will take another 3-5 years. But in spite of the hard work, do you want to get the satisfaction of seeing a smile on a patient? Will you love to spend long hours assisting people and being respected by all? Money is not the only thing in a career in Medical Science, but the role you play to keep people healthy and the satisfaction you get is unparalleled.

Medical Surgeon is a specialist of surgeries. As a Medical Surgeon, you can either carry out general surgeries or you can specialise or super specialise and carry out surgeries in a specific area. You will treat the patient before surgeries, prescribe medicines, perform surgeries, keep patients on check-ups, help them in healing wounds, and prescribe post-surgery medicines and care. You will work in a team or individually along with a nurse and their healthcare assistants to perform surgeries.

Why become a Medical Surgeon?

As a medical surgeon, you will be a qualified physician who will diagnose human diseases and perform surgeries for cure and prevention of diseases and ailments which require surgical treatment.

There are different specialities and super specialities of surgeons and based on your speciality, you will perform surgery on a particular diseased part or organ of the human body. Before surgery, you will review the history of the patient, carry out diagnostic procedures, find out about any allergies, and determine if the patient can be treated with surgery in the present condition. If the condition is not suitable for surgery, you will wait for the patient to reach a suitable condition before performing the surgery. As a surgeon, you will work with a team of other surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, etc. to perform surgery on the patient. You will also prescribe medicines, wellness exercises, eating habits, etc. to the patient for a speedy recovery.

As a medical surgeon, you will perform surgery on the patients as per the standard surgical procedures for a particular disease or ailment; in case of critical issues, you may refer the patients to other specialists also.

Popular Specialization in Medical Surgeon Career

1. General Surgeon is a surgeon who specializes in surgeries in the abdominal region of the body including oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gall bladder, appendix and bile ducts, and often the thyroid gland. They also deal with diseases related to skin, trauma, breast, hernias and colonoscopy.
2. ENT Surgeons specialise in surgeries, injuries and diseases in Ear, Nose, Throat and neck area around Ear, Nose and Throat. They also treat tumours and cancer in this region of the body.
3. Gynaecology and Obstetrics Surgeons deal with surgeries, treatment, and injuries around the female reproductive system like the vagina, uterus and ovaries. They also perform surgeries related to pregnancy, childbirth, etc.
4. Orthopaedic Surgeons are the ones who specialise in the musculoskeletal system of the body. Musculoskeletal includes bones and muscles that give movement to the human body like hand muscles and bones, backbone and muscles or muscles and bones in feet and legs.  They deal with surgeries and treatments from musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumours, and congenital disorders.
5. Ophthalmic Surgeons are the one who specialises in eye injuries, operations and surgeries. They also perform laser surgeries if required. Cataract surgery is one common surgery that they perform.
6. Arthroscopic Surgeons are super speciality surgeons who specialise in surgeries related to joints. They visualise, diagnose and treat a joint problem.
7. Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons are super specialty surgeons who specialize in surgeries in the thorax region. Thorax is the chest. So, they specialize in operations and surgeries related to the Lungs, heart and arteries.
8. Endocrine Surgeons are super speciality surgeons who specialize in the surgeries and treatment of the Thyroid gland, adrenal gland, parathyroid gland and endocrine gland.
9. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons are the super specialty surgeons who specialize in restoration, restoration, and alteration of the human body. They either do this to improve the aesthetic look of the body (mostly for appearances) and for treatment of burns, hand surgery and craniofacial surgery (surgery of face, neck, nose, etc.).
10. Surgical Oncologists are the super speciality surgeons who specialise in the surgical management of tumours and cancer.
11. Vascular Surgeons are the super speciality Surgeons who specialise in medical therapy, surgeries of the vascular system, or arteries, veins and lymphatic circulation.
12. Neurosurgeons carry out surgical procedures on the nervous systems of humans which include brain surgeries, spinal cord surgeries, etc.
13. Gastro-intestinal Surgeons carry out surgery of the gastrointestinal systems of humans which include the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, bile duct, etc.
14. Geniot-Urinary Surgeons, often referred to as Urosurgeons, carry out surgeries of the genio-urinary system of humans which includes genitals, genito-urinary systems, kidneys, etc.

What does a Medical Surgeon do?

As a Medical Surgeon, you will have different roles and responsibilities based on your speciality and super speciality. Following is the list of a few roles and responsibilities across the specialities:

• You will design and prescribe preoperative treatments and procedures, including medicines, diet, antibiotics, preparation, etc.
• You will always follow only the established surgical techniques during the operation.
• You will examine the patient to obtain information on medical conditions and surgical risks. You will share the same in an honest way to the patient’s relatives or patients. If the patient is booked under the law or protected under the law, then you will inform the same to the law agencies like the police.
• As your major role, you will operate on patients to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, or improve or restore patients’ functions.
• Before going for the surgeries or treatment, you will analyse a patient’s medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, etc.
• If the patient has any medical history or allergies, you will wait and treat them first and then operate. You will also find the best procedure to operate under such allergies or history if the operation is necessary.
• Post-operation or surgery, you will recommend and design the postoperative treatment.
• Order and supervise nurses and other healthcare staff
• You will keep track of the progress of the patient
• You will address concerns or answer questions that patients have about their health and well-being
• You will help patients with proper nutrition, hygiene, etc.
• You will keep updated with new technologies and instruments related to treatment.
• You will maintain cordial relations with other specialists and paramedics.
• You will take care of their health by discussing topics such as proper nutrition and hygiene.

How to become a Medical Surgeon – eligibility surgeon

Undergraduate studies after school:

• To become a Surgeon, you should complete your schooling with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and join for an undergraduate course of M.B.B.S.

Doctoral studies:

• After finishing M.B.B.S. you can opt for M.S. You can specialise in General Surgery, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, ENT, Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Surgery), Orthopaedic Surgery, Ophthalmic Surgery and Anatomy (Surgery).
• Alternatively, you can also opt for D.N.B. You can specialise in General Surgery, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, ENT, Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Surgery), Orthopaedic Surgery, Ophthalmic Surgery and Anatomy (Surgery).
• After your M.S., you can prepare for the FRCS (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, the UK) examination and complete the required residency (you have to work for a particular number of years as a Resident Surgeon in an MCI hospital to be eligible to sit for the FRCS examination; you may do the residency at hospitals in recognized UK also along with your studies for FRCS). FRCS is one of the highest and most coveted qualifications in surgery.

Post-Doctoral Studies:

• After Completing M.S. or D.N.B., you can take a super speciality course known as M.Ch. You can Specialise in Arthroscopic Surgery, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, Endocrine Surgery, Gynecologic Oncology, Head and Neck Surgery, Neurosurgery, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Thoracic Surgery, Transplant Surgery, Trauma Surgery, Vascular Surgery.
• You can further do a 2-year fellowship after M.Ch. to further specialize in a specific type of surgery.

Job Opportunities

• After M.B.B.S., you can join a medical college like AIIMS, Railway hospital, private hospital, government hospital etc.  as a junior resident doctor and continue your M.S. studies.
• After your M.S., you can join a medical college as a senior resident and continue your M.Ch. studies.
• After your M.Ch. Course, you can join as a fellow and complete your fellowship.
• You can join hospitals, clinics, railway hospitals, emergency medical centers, and cancer hospitals as Medical Officer (Surgery) after your M.S. or as a Consultant Surgeon after your M.Ch. / Fellowship.
• You can join a military hospital at the rank of Captain.
• You can also join a medical college at the rank of Assistant Professor.

Salary of Medical Surgeon

At the entry-level, if you join as a Consultant Surgeon, you will be earning anything between Rs. 90,000 to 1,10,000 per month. If you join as an Associate Professor, you would be earning anything between Rs. 90,000 to 1,10,000. If you join as a Medical Officer (Surgeon) in the hospital, then you would be earning anything between Rs. 80,000 to 1,10,000 per month.

At Experienced Surgeons may look forward to earning anything between Rs. 2,40,000 to Rs. 5,00,000 or even more per month. However, Super Specialist Surgeons earn much more than Rs. 10,00,000 per month.

Career Progression in Medical Surgeon Profession 

• The career growth in university and college states from Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor, Professor and Professor Emeritus. Professors can also get administrative positions such as Director/Dean/Vice Chancellor, etc
• If you are hired as a junior resident, then you will move to senior resident and then either you can choose to be a fellow or join any hospital as a Medical officer (Surgeon) or Consultant Surgeon.
• If you Join as a Medical Surgeon, then you will go on to become Deputy Medical Superintendent and then Additional Medical Superintendent and then Medical Superintendent. You might also become the director of the Hospital.
• If you join Army hospitals, then you will move up as per the army ranks starting from Captain (and its equivalent in Navy and Air Force).

What does industry trends say – future prospects

Indian Medical industry is growing exponentially riding on strong demand due to rising incomes, greater health awareness and an increase in access to insurance. It might grow to 373 Billion USD in 2022 as per a report by ibef.org. Also, with the introduction of Ayushman Bharat, Insurance and medical benefit is given by the Government of India, and more and more people will start using medical facilities. The hospital industry is expected to at 16-17% per year from 2017 to 2022. All these numbers indicate a bright future for surgeons.

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