J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 105(5): 321-324, 2004

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Feature topic

TO BE A GOOD EXPERT SURGEON

The clinical and scientific level of Japanese surgeons leads the world needless to say, in the field of early gastric cancer, supported by double-contrast roentgenogram, endoscopy and surgical procedure including lymph node dissection with good outcomes. Surgical skills of Japanese surgeons have been improved by watching of cine or videotaped programs at the academic assemblies, breaking through apprenticeship. Ambitious young surgeons could freely learned excellent technical procedure from the pictures. Young surgeon must be an everthinking surgeon to get any hint on the film.
Even though medical examinations and treatments including surgical procedures are on the way of standardization through EBM, manuals, guidelines and DPC payment system, medical doctors including surgeons must critically continue to think and seek for better treatment for the patients. Since the every patient differs in terms of age, sex, stage of disease, complicated conditions and social background, the treatment should be different, patient to patient, as tailor made fashion. Unless any progress is made, science and arts of medicine will decline.
As another advice for a young surgeon from my experience, you should write an operation protocol of every procedure by your self, even if that operation is the first experience or you joined as an assistant. After you wrote, you read the protocol by your instructor. Then you learn many knowledge and surgical know-how. Certainly, the book of the protocols will be your valuable treasure.
Furthermore, you should not aim to be a skillful surgeon, but to be a good surgeon performing reliable and gentle operations for the patients.

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