DISQUS

FridaWrites · 9 months ago

I think many of us (patients) used to imagine that such a thing existed, that if you needed emergency surgery, someone would be there instead of ER docs/hospitalists trying to get someone in.

I wasn't aware that general surgeons were leaving practice--problems with reimbursements?

Old MD Girl · 9 months ago

This sounds like the trauma service at where I'm in school. It was a fantastic service to be on as a student, and it seemed to run pretty well. It looked a lot more interesting to do than, oh I don't know, being a colorectal surgeon who ONLY does resections.

Alexy_Inciarte · 9 months ago

Such thing in venezuela doesnt exist, but i thought it existed previously in US, considering the fact emergency medicine is a young field of practice it is not strange at all.


seems interesting is this a felow? how long does it last?

Buckeye Surgeon · 9 months ago

Hilarious. I wrote about this sometime last year, don't feel like linking to it. Here's the deal; trauma surgeons have found that their previously cool specialty is now predominantly non-operative and significantly less cool. So "acute care surgery" is a euphemism for: we're bored and we'd like to actually grab a scalpel every now and then so we'll start stealing appies and late night gallbladders and endoscopies before our hands and fingers atrophy.

Toni Brayer MD · 9 months ago

To Buckeye: I'm not sure what you mean about trauma surgeons now being non-operative..???

Regarding General Surgery, Happy is so right. Like General medicine, no one is going into it and being a specialist that does one specific body part rather than all the things on this list is where the students are going. We desperately need general surgeons who will take call, be available for my consults and take care of patients. I think the problem is just the bad economics of running an office. Surgicalists makes sense. I'm not sure who does the post op follow up or who is available to see my out patients, but at least they can ease the ED hassle of trying to find someone to be on call and come in.

Our hospital is paying millions (yes millions) to doctors just to be on call.

Buckeye Surgeon · 9 months ago

Toni-
Trauma is a non-operative specialty now. No more "ex laps" for abdominal trauma. It's boring. read about it. These guys want to operate...

Publius · 9 months ago

I have been working as a general surgeon hospitalist for almost three years now. It is very rewarding in that there are now less non-medical issues with which to deal. I no longer run my own office. The hospital takes care of my billing and scheduling. Malpractice including tail coverage is provided by the hospital as well. My hours are a scheduled shift, known well in advance. The pay is unfortunately significantly less than that of private practice, but I do have a much better quality of life now. I do believe that my patients are happy with the services my group provides. Our care is consistent and there is a surgeon available at the hospital 24 / 7. Hospital efficiency has also improved with the establishment of the surgical hospitalist program. As a rule, surgical hospitalists usually only treat urgent and emergent problems of hospital patients. We do make an exception occasionally to provide care for the uninsured / indigent. We differ from traditional general surgeons in that our office is for short term post operative follow-up only. No new patients are seen.

Anonymous · 7 months ago

sounds like a traums surgeon skill set to me. impressive set of skills to have, its so holistic managing both sides medicine and surgical. again, impressive.

Anonymous · 7 months ago

from my understanding, trauma surgeons manage their own patients, unless neuro or other specialties need to be consulted, such as ortho, urology, and such. There is never a medical consult on acute trauma patients. gun shot wound victoms, stabbings,mvcs and the like for the most part still get exp lap if needed. right? Who else is gonna do that, a general surgeon? I don't think so.