A shortage of orthopedic surgeons performing joint replacement is expected in the next several years. “By 2025, there will be a projected shortage between 25,200 surgeons and 33,200 surgeons” which is an extreme shortage of practitioners in this field (Rechtoris). This is one of the reasons that I want to become a surgeon along with helping others. 'When a patient gets well his doctor 'feels' good–a personal warm glow that tells him once again what being a doctor is. This pleasure never dulls with age or time but remains vital and strong after decades of practice. 'Becoming a doctor' is acquiring this ability to help a sick person get better. It is one of the most precious skills one can acquire in a lifetime.” says Frank C. Spencer, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. An orthopedic surgeon's ultimate goal is to better the lives of their patients, making a difference one person at a time, and overall improving the lives of hundreds, if not millions.
Orthopedic surgeons are devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. They examine, diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system with surgery and corrective mechanical devices. They work on everything that allows you to move and be active. Orthopedic surgeons produce a better life for people who are suffering, in pain, or may have weak bones and help them feel better. They accomplish the ability to improve others' lives by creating new ways that can improve medicine to better the lives of future generations. Surgeons are expected to be able to stand throughout the day, have steady hands, be able to withstand stressful situations and be able to grieve the death of a patient. They must have a thorough understanding of current medical ethics, medical technology, and current pharmacology and physiology. To be a surgeon, the person should also have an aptitude for musculoskeletal health, disease prevention, and treatment is essential.
Save your time!
We can take care of your essay
- Proper editing and formatting
- Free revision, title page, and bibliography
- Flexible prices and money-back guarantee
A surgeon's typical work day is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. when they typically see 20 patients. This makes at least a 40-hour work week. Orthopedic surgeons work longer hours than the average American worker and their work hours may be irregular. A big part of an orthopedic surgeon’s workday involves consulting with patients and other doctors to determine if it’s appropriate to treat the disease or injury with surgery or to treat it with something less invasive such as exercises or injections. Many orthopedic surgeons specialize not just in musculoskeletal surgery, but in specific parts of the body. For instance, some may specialize in the spine, the knees, or the feet and ankles. Depending on their area of specialization, the surgeon may or may not perform surgery on a typical workday. They also try to Improve the lives of their patients through orthopedic surgery. A surgeon should have a caring and personable attitude towards their patients. An example would be getting to know the patient one-on-one, understanding them, hearing them out, and caring for them. You want to be able to help them and feel sympathy towards your patient. You must be motivated and satisfied despite the challenges of long hours and high levels of stress. As a surgeon, you must have flexible days because you never know what can come up, especially when you are on call. You must also be willing to learn, study, think, and piece together items after hours about your patients.
As a surgeon, you must work at least 8 hours a day and must be on call on certain days that are assigned to you. Your schedule can change a lot due to emergencies that you can be called into, including holidays, especially if you are scheduled to be on call that day. The average median pay for an orthopedic surgeon is $315,000 and you are paid by the hour. However, by the end of my career, I could be making upward of $553,537.
To become a surgeon, you need to complete a 4-year bachelor's degree program in biology, pre-medicine, or a related field. Then, aspiring orthopedic surgeons must complete four additional years of medical school, followed by a 4 to 5-year orthopedic surgery residency in a hospital. A medical internship typically lasts one year for all professions. Internships are usually transitional or specialty tracks. After a physician has completed an internship and the USMLE or Level 3 of the COMLEX-USA, they can be a general practitioner. Orthopedic surgeons complete more than a decade of training, including an orthopedic surgical residency in a hospital. They must pass the complex USMLE exam to earn their medical license, then take an exam to become board certified as an orthopedic surgeon. To help prepare for a career in the medical field as you are in High School, you can take some courses to help you prepare for a medical career such as medical terminology and anatomy and physiology.
Stuck on your essay?
