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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Ann Natl Acad Med Sci 2023; 59(02): 083-089
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1763271
Original Article

A Case for Horizontal Distribution of Activities between General Surgery and Surgical Super Specialties

Vivek R. Minocha
1   Former Professor and Head, Department of Surgery, University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi) & GTB Hospital, Delhi, India
,
Sanjay Gupta
2   Director Professor, Department of Surgery, University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi) & GTB Hospital, Delhi, India
,
Arun Gupta
2   Director Professor, Department of Surgery, University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi) & GTB Hospital, Delhi, India
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Abstract

Under the current practice in organizing surgical services, proportionate representation of disciplines is provided in the curricular planning and in corresponding clinical functions. This is based on the level of competence expected by the end of training period. The disciplines as a “whole” are placed in general surgery or super specialty. The system of vertical arrangement has some serious concerns. Paradoxically, patients with diseases of simple and routine nature of discipline categorized as super specialty are neglected. Super specialist is unable to attend on account of preoccupation with serious challenging problems. The general surgeon hesitates because of privileging issues, fear of allegations of negligence and litigation. The system of vertical division is based on premise that some disciplines deal with complex procedures and others with only simple and routine nature. This premise is incorrect. Each discipline is a mix of simple and complex cases requiring specialized treatment. Alternate modified organization of surgical service is proposed. Activities of all disciplines are scrutinized according to the level of expected competence by the end of training. Categorization is shifted from the “discipline' to “activities.” Criteria applied for classification of activities are as follows: on completion, the trainee is capable to assume full responsibility-category 1; has gained sufficient experience-category 2; and is conversant with broad understanding of management-category 3. Activities of category 1 from all disciplines are assigned to general surgery and those of category 3 from all disciplines are assigned to respective super specialty. Those in the middle, comprising difficult cases but not requiring specialized training or heavy inputs in equipment, are in category 2. They are assigned to general surgery as additional/optional items, or super specialty, guided by local factors. The scope and practice of general surgery are broadened with a shift from “residual” to “comprehensive” discipline. Advantages, concerns, collateral issues of horizontal distribution of activities, its positive impact on research and education are discussed. It is concluded that the proposed organization of surgical services is a rational, logical, and practical strategy for good-quality surgical care in the society. The super specialists need to be convinced that “taking load off” is good for the specialty.

Keywords

surgery - general surgery - comprehensive surgery - surgical super specialties - rational organization - surgical services

Authors' Contributions

V.R.M.: Contributed to initiating the concept, developing it further, drafting manuscript, revising to include comments, finalizing, and submission. S.G.: Contributed to concept, comments on the draft and finalizing manuscript. A.G.: Contributed to concept, comments on the draft and finalizing manuscript.




Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
11. April 2023

© 2023. National Academy of Medical Sciences (India). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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