List Archives

Fri Nov 24 05:50:17 GMT 2006

can I get ideas about the role of trained trauma surgeon in a developing country with economic restraints. all hospitals have full fledged general surgeons,orthopedic surgeons,plastic,vascular and neurosurgeons along with emergency physicians already looking after trauma.

Sandeep,

I'm not a surgeon, so take what I'm about to say as you will. 

I feel that all general surgeons should be (and I'm certain, are) trained in trauma. In the US, the average surgeon is not interested in treating trauma. Legal liability and financial considerations do not make trauma care an attractive option except for some very special people. If you have a similar situation where you practice, your special interest and/or training may prove devastating to your schedule, and you may get more than you bargain for if you have a busy trauma service. However, if your collegues are already treating trauma and are being compensated for it, you may be viewed as a threat to their income. It is this political aspect or your situation which may help or hinder anything that you have to offer, and you have to figure out where you stand.

If you have a good rapport with your collegues, you should assume a leadership role for the trauma service. The most important aspect of this leadership would entail chairmanship of the process improvement/ quality assurance committee. Another duty would be to maintain or oversee the process of maintaining a log or data base of trauma care you provide to your patients. These processes do not challenge the budget, except for the time commitment. I feel you also should take charge of the surgical intensive care unit and be involved in postop care, teaching (both resident and continuing medical education), and other longitudinal processes involving the injuried. Beyond that, it depends whether or not you are the chief of the department or not. If you are the chief, or if your chief loves you, then you've got it made. Arrange some personal visits to other hospitals and see what they do and how they do it, and decide if it would work in your hospital.

If you are new to your situation, you have a great opportunity. But, it won't be easy. Fifteen years ago I have had the pleasure of starting an emergency medicine residency in a 600+ bed traditional Catholic hospital where politics run deep as the waters of the Marianna's trench. I succeeded where others had failed. My philosophy is that to succeed at a task, you need three things 1) talent, 2) skill, and 3) perseverance. Often, attention to the later will overcome deficits in the first two. Good luck to you.

DB

List Archives

For your convenience, find the Trauma List Archive Below

Subject: role of trauma surgeon