So a random question...why do some people choose this area of medicine?
So a random question...why do some people choose this area of medicine?
(most Colorectal Surgeries are elective)
for the A$$MAN license plates!
"proctology" really doesn't exist anymore as a specialty. Its either Gastroenterology or Colorectal Surgery.
Either way, many choose the specialty because it reimburses fairly well (esp for GI), has a pretty good lifestyle (most Colorectal Surgeries are elective) and there is a lot of interesting research into the genetics of colorectal diseases. I know of at least one medical student who chose Surgery with a plan for a CRS fellowship because of his own problems with Ulcerative Colitis.
But Law2Doc is right...in every field, there is a bit of unpleasantness. When choosing a specialty you have to decide which grosses you out the least: poop, puke, or mucus...then you have your answer! 😀
Huh? Maybe you mean elective in the sense that they don't have to be done at 1am, but a huge part of colorectal surgery is oncologic. I doubt all those patients with colon/rectum/anus carcinoma consider their surgery elective.
Yeah, I think it's more Colorectal Surgery now. Wasn't the "old" "Proctology" a surgical specialty?
Anyway, I did some shadowing in anesthesiology last week and 2 of the procedures were done by Colorectal surgeons. The fellow was a cool dude and commented on how it's getting more competitive as a specialty cause "it's a lifestyle specialty". Anyway, that's what he said.
Also, in all reality, if you think about it, these surgeons help people that are experiencing some rather uncomfortable conditions. It's a pretty important specialty to those who need their services. So, I could see it being pretty rewarding in that respect. Also, in a sterile environment, it really is just another orifice.... lol
Huh? Maybe you mean elective in the sense that they don't have to be done at 1am, but a huge part of colorectal surgery is oncologic. I doubt all those patients with colon/rectum/anus carcinoma consider their surgery elective.
hell, I want to know what an elective colorectal surgery is.... like anal rejuvenation surgery?![]()
in the parlance of surgeons, elective surgery is a planned, non-emergency surgical procedure.
You may very well be correct. Although I've done 6 months on dedicated surgical services as both a student and an intern, and this distinction has never been made. To offer something tangible, at my hospital, the OR schedule only refers to elective (using your definition) surgeries as "routine". "Elective" is reserved for cosmetic surgery or LASIK, etc. Again, I'm not saying you're wrong; I'm just suggesting that the distinction is not as universal as you might think.
Etc...sorry to be such a pain in the you-know-what about this, but this is a frequent semantic error that needs to be clarified.