Skills Needed for a Surgeon
Surgeons are highly educated and trained medical professionals that perform all kinds of operations, from broken bone repairs and baby deliveries to liver transplants and tumor removal. Starting with college, surgeons typically spend around 13 years in school, and those who specialize in a specific type of surgery spend an additional two or three years completing their fellowship program. Surgeons need a very specific set of skills to be able to handle the grueling academic work and heavy demands of the job.
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Academic Skills
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Surgeons need a strong background in math and science first and foremost. Most of the classes they'll take during college and medical school fall into these categories, and those who have little or no aptitude for these subjects will likely struggle. Surgeons must be highly detail-oriented, analytical and organized individuals. As students they are asked to memorize large amounts of information on a regular basis, so having a strong memory is also a huge plus. Surgeons also need to have excellent reading and research skills, as they are frequently asked to perform research projects on a given medical topic.
Interpersonal Skills
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Surgeons almost never work alone in the operating room; they are usually accompanied by at least two assistants and in many cases more, depending on the type of operation. Candidates must therefore have strong teamwork skills and be able to work well with others to accomplish complex tasks. Surgeons also need a high threshold for stress, as the job can be very stressful and frustrating at times. Surgeons should be patient, compassionate individuals who find satisfaction in helping others live better, healthier lives. Motivational and leadership skills are also valuable, especially for surgeons who lead large teams.
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Communication Skills
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Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are essential for surgeons. Written communication skills come in handy when writing reports, research findings, letters of recommendation and other documents. Strong verbal communication skills are very useful in the operating room when giving and receiving instructions from other members of the team. Surgeons need to be able to speak clearly with correct grammar and accurate vocabulary. They should also be able explain complex medical procedures in a simplified way so that patients and other non-surgeons can understand.
Technical Skills
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Surgeons need an incredibly wide range of specific technical skills. Good eyesight, color vision and manual dexterity are essential for this career, as surgeons often perform delicate operations that require a steady hand and keen eye. Surgeons must learn how to use all the required medical instruments and machinery for their job, including scalpels, needles, testing equipment, defibrillators and even computer software. Surgeons usually learn the majority of these skills during their residency and fellowship, though many skills are also learned during the final years of medical school.
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References
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