How to Become a Surgeon in India: An In-depth Guide

Interested in the medical field and aspiring to become a surgeon? Surgeons are not just doctors; they are life-savers, dedicated to repairing the human body and restoring health.

From orthopedic surgeons handling fractures to neurosurgeons performing brain surgeries, and from cardiovascular surgeons treating heart conditions to general surgeons with diverse expertise, their impact is profound. Surgeons bear immense responsibility for their patients’ well-being, leveraging their skills and expertise.

Join us on a journey through this roadmap on how to become a surgeon. We’ll be exploring what is a surgeon, why choose a career in surgery, what steps you can follow to become a surgeon, essential skills, specialized fields, top colleges, career opportunities and salary.

What is a Surgeon?

A surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in performing operations to treat diseases, injuries, or deformities. Surgeons use surgical procedures to remove tumors, repair broken bones, transplant organs, and perform various other life-saving tasks. The role demands precision, steady hands, and the ability to work well under pressure.

Why Choose a Career in Surgery?

Surgery is one of the most respected and challenging fields in medicine. Surgeons have the unique ability to directly improve or even save lives through their skills. The profession also offers a high earning potential, job stability, and opportunities for specialization in various fields such as neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, and orthopedic surgery.

Steps on How to Become a Surgeon

Here is the answer to your question on “What are the steps to becoming a surgeon?”. We’ll break down the journey for you in very easy steps:

Step 1: Excel in High School

The first step on the path to becoming a surgeon starts in high school. Focus on excelling in science subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Maintaining a high GPA will be crucial when applying to colleges. Participating in extracurricular activities related to medicine, such as volunteering at hospitals or joining a science club, can also strengthen your college application.

Step 2: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

After high school, the next step is to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Although a specific major isn’t required, most aspiring surgeons choose to major in biology, chemistry, or pre-med. Courses in anatomy, physiology, and organic chemistry will provide a strong foundation for medical school. Participating in research projects and gaining experience through internships or shadowing doctors will be invaluable.

Step 3: Take the MCAT

Before applying to medical school, you must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The MCAT is a standardized exam that assesses your knowledge of biological and physical sciences, as well as your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. A strong MCAT score is essential for gaining admission to a reputable medical school.

Click here to check out the MCAT Course for free.

Step 4: Complete Medical School

Medical school typically takes four years to complete. The first two years are focused on classroom-based learning, where you’ll study subjects like anatomy, pharmacology, and pathology. The last two years involve clinical rotations, where you’ll gain hands-on experience in different medical specialties, including surgery.

During medical school, it’s crucial to maintain a high GPA and perform well in your clinical rotations, especially in surgery, to increase your chances of securing a surgical residency.

Step 5: Pass the USMLE

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step exam required to practice medicine in the U.S. You must pass all three steps to be eligible for a surgical residency. The first two steps are taken during medical school, while the third is completed during your residency.

Step 6: Complete a Surgical Residency

After medical school, you’ll enter a surgical residency program, which typically lasts 5-7 years. During your residency, you’ll work under the supervision of experienced surgeons, performing surgeries and learning the intricacies of the field. You’ll rotate through different surgical specialties to gain a broad understanding of surgery.

Step 7: Obtain Board Certification

Once you complete your residency, the next step is to obtain board certification. Board certification is a voluntary process that demonstrates your expertise in surgery. To become board-certified, you’ll need to pass a rigorous exam administered by the American Board of Surgery (ABS).

Step 8: Consider Fellowship Training

If you wish to specialize further, you can pursue fellowship training in a specific area of surgery, such as pediatric surgery, trauma surgery, or plastic surgery. Fellowships typically last 1-3 years and provide advanced training in your chosen specialty.

Step 9: Maintain Licensure and Continue Education

To practice as a surgeon, you’ll need to maintain your medical license, which requires ongoing education and periodic renewal. Surgeons must stay updated with the latest advancements in their field by attending conferences, participating in workshops, and completing Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits.

Step 10: Build a Successful Career

Once you’re fully trained and certified, you can begin your career as a surgeon. Many surgeons work in hospitals, but some choose to open private practices or join group practices. Building a successful career involves developing strong communication skills, continuously improving your surgical techniques, and building a reputation for excellence.

Specializations in Surgery

Surgery is a broad field with numerous subspecialties, each focusing on a specific organ system or type of procedure. So Along with how to become surgeon, you might want to enquire about specializations. Here are some of the most common surgical specializations:

1. General Surgery

• Trauma surgery: Treating injuries from accidents, violence, or other causes.
• Surgical oncology: Removing tumors and treating cancer.
• Vascular surgery: Treating diseases of the blood vessels.
• Bariatric surgery: Performing weight-loss surgery.

2. Surgical Specialties

• Cardiothoracic surgery: Operating on the heart, lungs, and other thoracic organs.
• Neurosurgery: Treating diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.
• Orthopedic surgery: Treating diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system.
• Plastic surgery: Reconstructing or altering the appearance of tissues.
• Otolaryngology (ENT): Treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.
• Gynecology: Treating diseases of the female reproductive system.
• Urology: Treating diseases of the urinary system.
• Pediatric surgery: Performing surgery on children.
• Ophthalmology: Treating diseases of the eyes. Perform cataract surgeries, corneal transplants, retinal detachment repairs, and refractive surgeries like LASIK.

3. Superspecialties

• Cardiac surgery: Performing surgery on the heart.
• Thoracic surgery: Operating on the lungs and other thoracic organs.
• Neurological surgery: Treating diseases of the brain and spinal cord.
• Orthopedic oncology: Treating bone and joint tumors.
• Pediatric cardiac surgery: Performing surgery on children’s hearts.
• Pediatric neurosurgery: Treating neurological disorders in children.

This is just a brief overview of some common surgical specializations. There are many other subspecialties and fellowship programs available for surgeons to pursue.

Skills Required to Become a Surgeon

Becoming a surgeon requires a unique blend of academic, technical, and interpersonal skills. Here are some of the key skills necessary:

1. Academic Skills:

• Strong foundation in science: A deep understanding of biology, chemistry, and physics is essential.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities: Surgeons must be able to analyze complex medical situations and make quick, informed decisions.
• Attention to detail: Precision and accuracy are paramount in surgical procedures.
• Ability to handle stress: The demanding nature of surgical work requires the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.

2. Technical Skills:

• Manual dexterity: Surgeons must have fine motor skills to manipulate delicate tissues and instruments.
• Visual acuity: Sharp eyesight is crucial for performing precise procedures.
• Technical proficiency: Familiarity with surgical equipment, techniques, and procedures is essential.

3. Interpersonal Skills:

• Empathy: Surgeons must be able to understand and respond to patients’ emotional needs.
• Communication skills: Effective communication with patients, families, and colleagues is vital.
• Leadership abilities: Surgeons often lead surgical teams, requiring strong leadership and teamwork skills.
• Ethical judgment: Surgeons must make complex ethical decisions and adhere to medical ethics.

In addition to these skills, surgeons must also possess a strong work ethic, dedication to lifelong learning, and a passion for helping others.

Top Colleges in India to Become a Surgeon

After completing junior college, you may wonder, “How to become a surgeon after 12th?” Choosing the right medical college is crucial for pursuing a prestigious surgeon’s degree. Here’s a look at the top 10 colleges in India:

S.No.	College Name	Eligibility Criteria	Admission Criteria	Facilities
1	All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi	MBBS degree with a completed rotating internship	Based on AIIMS PG Entrance Exam performance and merit	Offers advanced surgical departments, simulation labs, research centers, and clinical rotations
2	Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore	10+2 with PCB and English, valid NEET score	Based on CMC Vellore UG Entrance Exam and interview	Advanced medical facilities, research centers, libraries, hostels, and extracurriculars
3	Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune	10+2 with PCB and English, NEET-UG required	Based on NEET-UG scores, tests, and interview	Advanced medical labs, research centers, hostels, and sports grounds
4	Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry	10+2 with PCB and English, NEET-UG required	Based on NEET-UG scores	Modern medical facilities, research centers, libraries, hostels, and sports grounds
5	Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), Delhi	10+2 with PCB and English, NEET score required	Based on NEET-UG scores and counseling	Medical labs, libraries, hostels, and extracurriculars
6	King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow	10+2 with PCB and English, NEET score required	Based on NEET-UG scores and counseling	Medical labs, research centers, libraries, hostels, and sports facilities
7	Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi	10+2 with PCB and English, NEET-UG score required	Based on NEET-UG scores and BHU PMT counseling	Medical labs, research centers, libraries, hostels, and sports grounds
8	Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal	10+2 with PCB and English, NEET score required	Based on NEET-UG scores and counseling	Medical labs, research centers, libraries, hostels, and sports facilities
9	Madras Medical College (MMC), Chennai	10+2 with PCB and English, NEET-UG score required	Based on NEET-UG scores and counseling	Medical facilities, research centers, libraries, hostels, and sports grounds
10	Grant Medical College (GMC), Mumbai	10+2 with PCB and English, NEET score required	Based on NEET-UG scores and counseling	Medical facilities, research centers, libraries, hostels, and sports facilities

Getting into these top colleges requires hard work, dedication, and stellar performance in entrance exams like NEET and AIIMS PG.

Career Opportunities as a Surgeon

Surgeons enjoy a wide range of career opportunities, both in the public and private sectors. Here are some common career paths:

1. Hospital-Based Positions:

• Staff Surgeon: Working in a hospital’s surgical department, performing a variety of procedures.
• Chief of Surgery: Leading the surgical department and overseeing the work of other surgeons.
• Consultant Surgeon: Providing specialized expertise to patients and other healthcare providers.
• Academic Surgeon: Teaching and conducting research at a medical school or research institution.

2. Private Practice:

• Solo Practitioner: Setting up and running your own private surgical practice.
• Group Practice: Partnering with other surgeons to form a group practice.
• Clinic-Based Surgeon: Working in a surgical clinic or outpatient center.

3. Other Opportunities:

• Medical Examiner: Investigating deaths and determining the cause of death.
• Military Surgeon: Serving in the armed forces and providing medical care to soldiers.
• Research Scientist: Conducting research on surgical techniques, technologies, or diseases.
• Medical Educator: Teaching medical students and residents.

4. International Opportunities:

• Medical Missions: Providing surgical care in developing countries.
• Working in Foreign Hospitals: Practicing medicine in other countries.

The career path a surgeon chooses will depend on their individual interests, goals, and lifestyle preferences.

Average Salary of a Surgeon

The salary of a surgeon varies based on factors like specialty, experience, and location. On average, surgeons in India earn between ₹4.0 lakhs to ₹27.5 lakhs per annum (approximately $4,765.79 to $32,764.82 per year). Specialties like neurosurgery and cardiovascular surgery often command even higher salaries. However, this is just a rough estimate, and actual salaries can vary widely.

Salary Source: Glassdoor

Conclusion

Becoming a surgeon is a journey that requires passion, dedication, and a commitment to lifelong learning. By following the steps outlined in this guide on how to become a surgeon, you can navigate the path to this rewarding career. Remember, the road may be long, but the impact you can make as a surgeon is profound.

The path on how to become a surgeon in India might seem overwhelming, but remember, every long journey begins with a single step. So what are you waiting for? Start your journey today if you’re ready to embrace the challenges and rewards of being a surgeon.

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