The Making of a Surgeon
Good surgical training is a major factor in a surgeon's future success. True enough, many of our SPSA surgeons are products of reputable training programs. They searched; they qualified and competed fiercely in these training hospitals with the early "pyramidal system" which were not always governed by fairness. Indeed, the international graduates truly had to prove themselves beyond doubt that they were the best (to be good is not enough). The opportunities were there however. The able, the capable and the persistent not only survived but also flourished. The results were highly qualified surgeons who went on and continued their careers utilizing their initiative and determination to succeed. Being at the right time and the right placed helped, but others worked on creating opportunities. Many found their niche in surgical practices or in academic centers across the country.
Others did not come from major teaching hospitals but still got good training by taking advantage of available positions. They took extra training and they were not afraid to find them anywhere in the United States. They applied their talents and skills to the fullst. The desirable personal qualities of motivation, eagerness to learn, working hard, consistently reliable and caring for patients paid off. In fact there is a common perception that the Filipino surgeons have these qualities and that they were liked.
Residency training is only the beginning. Surgical training is a continuing process to get better in what we do. There is a saying, "You are only as good as your last case". I find that in cardiovascular surgery (as in other specialties), the patients do not always present the same way and that the pathology is not exactly the same. During the operation, there are always opportunities to learn on how to do things better. Surgery is an art and we continue to practice it. We find enlightenment on certain problems by searching the literature and learning from others. We are not only interested in the lowest patient mortality rate but also in minimal morbidity. We want to do an excellent operation and get the patient back to his home and work. To accomplish these goals we have to be on our toes at all times in the operating room and provide the best postoperative care. It is wise to do these things for our patients.
The true surgeon enjoys his art. Surgery is fun (most of the time that is!). Otherwise, if we stop learning, soon we stop caring for our patients.