Surgeons are incredible individuals. They hold the lives of others in their hands daily. Some people might think a cosmetic surgeon or another surgeon who generally performs elective procedures has it all. They have a life where they help others daily and make a nice paycheck. However, any surgeon, regardless of the types of procedures they perform, will experience challenges as they go about their tasks. What are some typical challenges of a surgical career today?
Work/Life Balance
Many surgeons worry about their work/life balance today. While only 29 percent of male physicians feel they don’t have a good balance between these two areas, 36 percent of male surgeons think they lack this balance. Burnout concerns surgeons, who feel overwhelmed with bureaucratic tasks while disrespected by others in the industry.
Sadly, the number of happy general surgeons in their positions has dropped recently. Before the pandemic, 77 percent of general surgeons reported being happy. That number has now dropped to 56 percent. Depression also remains a concern among surgeons. Work/ life balance must be a priority for surgeons looking for work to prevent burnout and other issues commonly seen among their peers.
Limited Space
Hospitals must make use of every available inch of space. Operating rooms are always needed, so the hospital tends to make them small and cramped. Doing so allows them to have multiple ORs and generate more revenue. However, the size of these rooms can lead to the surgical team having little room to move around while working on a patient.
This lack of space can interfere with the team’s ability to work efficiently. Nobody wants to collide with another team member and knock over a tray of sterilized surgical tools, but it could happen. Hospitals must ensure surgeons and their teams have room to work for happy physicians who want to stay in their current positions.
Salary Considerations
People often look at surgeons and think they must be rolling in the money. Patients know how much these doctors charge for routine procedures. As the complexity of a procedure increases, so does the price. However, the patient must consider what the doctor pays in malpractice insurance fees, the paid training these physicians undergo to have the skills necessary to operate on a person, and more.
Malpractice insurance rates vary greatly based on many factors. Surgeons pay more for this insurance than doctors in many other specialties, as every surgical procedure has risks. Patients are more likely to sue a surgeon than they would a pediatrician or dermatologist. Malpractice insurance providers recognize this and charge surgeons higher premiums because they come with more risk.
Surgeons face many other challenges today. They may deal with limited resource access, patients refusing to follow treatment plans, time pressures, and more. Many surgeons wonder if they will ever be able to advance in their careers. They are so busy helping patients that doing so can be another challenge.
Healthcare organizations must recognize these challenges and work to address them. America already has a problem with staffing shortages in the healthcare industry. Surgeons aren’t easily replaced; this task is not one that any doctor can take on. It requires specialized skills and training. Overcoming these challenges will help with surgeon retention and attract new talent. For these reasons, overcoming these challenges is imperative.
