What is a General Surgeon?
If you have mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis, you'll likely have a general surgeon on your treatment team who may be the first to diagnose and treat your illness or treat conditions occurring as a result of your illness.
General surgeons are often part of a team of doctors that treat mesothelioma cancer.A general surgeon usually operates on a patient to correct defects or to remove diseased tissue to alleviate or treat bowel obstructions, colon cancer and colon inflammation, breast tumors, appendicitis, gallstones and hernias.
These doctors also have training caring for transplant patients, cancer patients, people who are critically ill and people who are injured.
General surgeons rely on a broad knowledge base to diagnose and treat diseases of the abdomen, endocrine system, digestive system, blood vessels, skin and breast. They often play an important role in the team approach to treating mesothelioma, working with thoracic surgeons, oncologists, and other specialists.
Learn about the Different Approaches to Treating Mesothelioma
If you were recently diagnosed with mesothelioma and need help finding a cancer and team of specialists to treat your disease, request a free informational packet from the Mesothelioma Center. This packet provides lists and profiles of the nation's top mesothelioma doctors including general surgeons. Click here for a copy of this free care packet.
For general surgeons to qualify for inclusion on a team of mesothelioma specialists, they must have the proper education and training. To become a general surgeon, a physician usually must complete a five-year accredited surgical residency after medical school. A residency allows doctors-in-training to learn surgical and medical techniques under the supervision of an expert surgeon, gradually becoming more independent over time. Once residency is completed, a general surgeon may next seek specialized training in a surgical subspecialty through an accredited fellowship.
The next step after the fellowship is acquiring board certification, most likely from the American Board of Surgery – a group that not only sets professional standards for general surgeons but also tests them throughout their careers. The ABS is just one of 24 certifying boards within the American Boards of Medical Specialties. Member boards account for 85 percent of all board-certified physicians in the United States.
Board Certification Requirements for General Surgeons
In addition to a five-year general surgery residency, candidates must have a minimum of 48 weeks of full-time experience for each year of residency and a minimum of 54 months of surgical experience during residency. Candidates must also pass a written qualifying exam and an oral certifying exam.
- Maintain their license and hospital privileges in good standing
- Commit to continuing medical education
- Pass periodic examinations
- Continually evaluate their patient care to that of their peers
ABS Spokeswoman Christine Shiffer said the organization has board certified 57,000 general surgeons since its inception in 1937. Of that total, 25,000 general surgeons are still practicing in the field today.
To check to see if your general surgeon is board certified go to: https://www.certificationmatters.org/is-your-doctor-board-certified/search-now.aspx
Find out More about General Surgeons
The Mesothelioma Center's Patient Advocates can help you locate the right doctor for your diagnosis. Call 800-615-2270 to speak to one of our advocates and learn more about treatment options and cancer s that specialize in mesothelioma and other diseases caused by exposure to asbestos.
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Last Modified Friday, April 27th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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