Medicine is a highly complex field that diverges into multiple branches. Though many of them overlap, each one is its own unique division of the healthcare world. Based on information from the Association of American Medical Colleges, there are more than 135 specialties and subspecialties for physicians alone. They range from ophthalmology and dermatology to cardiology and oncology and beyond. Doctors in each of those fields play distinct roles in patient care.
General surgeons are among the various types of physicians. Often described as general practitioners who are qualified to perform surgery when needed, they fill a variety of roles in modern healthcare. Take a look at some of the services physicians who are hired in general surgery may provide for their patients.
Inclusive Care
First of all, general surgeons are essentially trained to provide inclusive, whole-body care. Whereas cardiologists focus on the heart and blood vessels and endocrinologists specialize in the endocrine system, general surgeons provide head-to-toe treatments. That being said, there are some areas of the body that they sometimes prefer to leave to specialists. For example, they don’t typically perform surgery on the brain or nerves. They may refer orthopedic cases to more specific specialists as well.
Examinations and Diagnoses
Though the term “general surgeon” indicates that these physicians perform surgeries, that’s not the limit of their services.
They also diagnose conditions and provide additional treatments. They can examine patients, provide diagnoses, and determine whether surgery is the proper course of action based on their symptoms, medical histories, and other factors.
General surgeons also perform procedures like laparoscopies, bronchoscopies, and cystoscopies to look for medical issues and determine how to treat them. If necessary, they order other diagnostics, such as x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, urinalyses, and blood tests to determine patients’ conditions, their causes, and appropriate treatments.
In the Operating Room
Of course, general surgeons can cover a broad range of surgical procedures. Those include hernia repairs, appendectomies, tumor removals, thyroid procedures, tonsillectomies, and gallbladder removals to list only a few. They carry out elective and emergency procedures alike. They can cover organ damage, severe wounds, broken bones, and a variety of other needs. Though some procedures are reserved for other specialists, general surgeons are specialists in their own rights and are fully qualified to perform a vast range of surgical procedures, wound repairs, and additional treatments.
After Surgery
Following surgical procedures, general surgeons keep a close watch over their patients. They monitor for signs of infections, improper healing, and other complications and treat those issues as needed.
They also explain proper wound care and other postoperative measures to their patients and ensure they carry out those steps to foster their own healing. General surgeons cover pain management, preventative care, and other needs as well. They may schedule multiple follow-up appointments after surgeries to ensure their patients heal properly and that their procedures lead to the desired outcomes.
Covering Multiple Needs in the Medical World
Numerous physicians and other professionals are involved in modern healthcare. General surgeons are among them, and they provide a wide range of care. They evaluate and diagnose patients, create treatment plans, perform surgeries, and provide follow-up care along with other services. They’re not limited to one specific system or area of the body; instead, they have inclusive knowledge and training to take care of the whole body.