Hong Kong Herald
05 Feb 2021, 10 GMT+10
Vladimir Stefanov is a notable surgeon with many years of practice. During this time, he has performed hundreds of operations. He shares his expertise and gives advice on a variety of issues. In this article, he will express his vision of what makes a great surgeon and what qualities he should have.
Vladimir Stefanov about daily activities of a surgeon
Surgeons perform operations and are responsible for all elements of the surgeries. They monitor the surgical team and make sure that all standards are met. Since in many cases the life of patients is at risk, surgeons must be prepared for all kinds of emergencies. Depending on some factors, they perform minimally invasive and simple procedures or invasive and complex operations that take up to ten hours.
The surgical practice consists of a lot of time in the office. Surgeons consult patients and discuss their cases. They talk about outcomes, the likelihood of success, and practical issues such as what drugs to take before the surgery. Also, they spend a lot of time consulting with other doctors. This data can be crucial and help to uncover the details of the surgical treatment. Sometimes they need to learn about techniques that may be relevant. Vladimir Stefanov admits that all of this is an important part of the work of a surgeon, as this is the only way to improve skills.
Vladimir Stefanov about the Necessary Qualities a Good Surgeon Should Have
All successful surgeons have special skills and views that contribute to a fulfilling career. Although a strong desire to become a surgeon is essential, it is necessary to have other qualities. Without them, the career of a surgeon can be very difficult. So, in Vladimir Stefanov's view, there are five necessary qualities that every surgeon should have.
Specialist Knowledge
First of all, knowledge may seem like a matter of course, but you must be very well versed in your profession. A great surgeon is focused on practice: he should devote himself to the same specialty all along with his professional life.
The need to adapt to new things and learn throughout the career is essential. A great surgeon will continue to educate himself on the development of medicine and surgery. It is vital to be ready to change the practice to more efficient methods, and perhaps even to stop performing certain types of operations.
Mechanical skill
The dexterity of hands and coordination is important. To become a successful surgeon, motor skills must be perfect. "At the beginning of my career, it was amazing to see how complex the human body is inside," says Vladimir Stefanov. "All the muscles and organs, it was more difficult than I could have imagined."
When performing surgery, all movements should be small and controlled. To improve these skills and make them automatic, surgeons use a variety of exercises. "The best surgeons never seem to be in a hurry" points out Vladimir Stefanov. What is more, precise movements lead to faster completion of the procedure.
Calm and Restraint
To succeed in this profession, surgeons need much more than their medical knowledge. Not only brilliant skills and good judgment are required because operations can suddenly go wrong. Then calmness and self-control are necessary: do not panic, blame the assistant, or scrub at the nurse. The brilliant surgeon is able to adapt quickly. "There are a lot of things that can happen during the operation, and your aim is to handle any situation", says Vladimir Stefanov.
Vladimir is sure that mental endurance is also vital. The doctor can't turn his back for a second, no matter how long the surgery. Surgeons are in this intense and focused state, where the main goal is to perform high-level work to improve the condition of the patient.
Communication skills
In fact, although the operation seems like an isolated area, surgeons need to interact with other people all the time. Most operations require a team of surgeons, nurses, and others. There must be a clear captain who is responsible for everything so that everyone is on the same wavelength. Excellent surgeons manage and support all members of the team. In this shared environment, they feel protected from stress. Respect and mutual support bring out the best in each member. It is also important to accept different points of view.
Vladimir Stefanov agrees that surgeons should provide the direction. "Being the surgeon, you are the leader", he says. Also, he believes that the most vital part of leading is being able to evaluate coworkers. Therefore, communication skills are essential. The ability to speak calmly with patients, always be honest, is one of the most important qualities of a surgeon. "You can do a better operation, but if the patient does not receive proper care, he may not have a good result", he admits.
Honest approach
The best surgeons will consider all treatments and will be open and realistic about outcomes. They will tell if the patient isn't a suitable candidate for a procedure. Vladimir Stefanov believes that the goal of surgery is to benefit the patient, not the surgeon. The surgeon should focus on whether what he has done is beneficial to the patient.
Conclusion
Almost all surgeons have a good reputation as qualified medical experts. Being an outstanding surgeon, Vladimir Stefanov is certain that it takes years of practice and training to become a good specialist. In addition to solid knowledge and skills, they should be honest as well as be calm and restrained. This allows them to make sound practical judgments, regardless of special medical knowledge and education.
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