General Surgeons: The Backbone of The Operating Room

 By: Dhyan Patel

General Surgeon

Note: This article is part of a student-run educational series on medical specialties, based on research and/or shadowing (in person or virtual), in order to educate other students who are interested in healthcare careers and may lack the ability to shadow specialists in their areas.

Background

Whenever we think about going to the hospital, the first thing that often comes to our heads are surgeons. Surgeons are skilled professionals who work with their steady hands in order to repair or remove whatever is wrong inside the body. Among surgeons, general surgeons are some of the most versatile and essential physicians in healthcare.


General surgery doesn’t just simply include performing operations, but it is about solving problems quickly under pressure and making life saving decisions. These doctors are trained in order to treat a wide variety of conditions and often serve as the backbone of the surgical department in hospitals around the world.

So, what do they do?

General surgeons specialize in performing surgeries on the abdomen and its organs. This includes the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, appendix, gallbladder, and more. They may also handle surgeries that involve the skin, breasts, and soft tissue, and they often assist with trauma and emergency cases.


When many people hear the word “general” they assume that general surgeons must do a wide variety of things, and they are correct. This is also what makes this specialty so complex. A general surgeon must be prepared for almost anything such as removing an appendix one hour and then repairing an intestine in the next. They could work on emergency surgeries such as fixing internal bleeding, cancer surgeries by removing tumors from the colon, minimal invasive procedures using small incision and camera, or even postoperative care where they ensure that patients heal safely.

Required education and training

Often becoming a general surgeon takes years of time and training similar to other medical careers. They must first finish their bachelor's which is typically done in a science related major. They then must go through four years of medical school. Then these surgeons must go through residency where they are typically trained between five to seven years on various specialties such as trauma, vascular, and even pediatric. Some surgeons may even continue by going through fellowships in cardiothoracic, transplant, or some other specialty. 

Importance

General surgeons are one of the most important assets at every hospital. They are the doctors who step in whenever an emergency has occurred, and immediate action is needed such as stopping internal bleeding. Their ability to adapt to any situation helps keep their patients alive in these critical moments. As a result, these are some of the most important doctors. 

References

American University of Antigua College Of Medicine. (2025, June 28). What Does a General Surgeon Do? Roles, Skills & Procedures. American University of Antigua. https://www.auamed.org/blog/what-does-a-general-surgeon-do/

Cannon, R. (2025). What does a general surgeon do? Capecodhealth.org. https://www.capecodhealth.org/cape-cod-health-news/what-does-a-general-surgeon-do/

Cleveland Clinic. (2023, September 25). General Surgeon: What They Do, Training & Surgeries Performed. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/general-surgeon

Mayo. (2025). Surgery Specialties - Residencies and Fellowships - Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. https://college.mayo.edu/academics/residencies-and-fellowships/surgery-specialties/

Medschoolcoach. (2021, January 15). General Surgery with Dr. Emily Singer - Virtual Pre-Med Education by MedSchoolCoach. Virtual Pre-Med Education by MedSchoolCoach. https://shadowing.medschoolcoach.com/lessons/general-surgery-with-dr-emily-singer/

NEXGEN Surgical. (2025, July 18). Explore Rewarding Surgical Careers with NexGen Surgical. NexGen Surgical. https://nexgensurgical.com/general-surgeon-jobs/

NYU. (2025). General Surgery Residency: Manhattan | NYU Langone Health. NYU Langone Health. https://med.nyu.edu/departments-institutes/surgery/education/general-surgery-residency-manhattan

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