General Surgeon Describes His Love for the Specialty

As surgery subspecializes and economic challenges mount throughout healthcare, some general surgeons are finding themselves questioning the value of their field, according to a recent discussion in the ACS Communities. However, despite the field evolving and adapting to modern needs, there are myriad rewards and consistent relevance to be found in general surgery, according to Michael Sarap, MD, FACS. 

Dr. Sarap, a general surgeon with nearly 4 decades of experience practicing in the small rural community of Cambridge, Ohio, described some of the unique advantages of being a contemporary general surgeon in an April Bulletin viewpoint article. He acknowledged the challenges of being a general surgeon in 2023—decreasing reimbursement, scope of practice limitations, and workforce issues—but finds that new technology, variety of cases, strong relationships with patients and families, and the significance of acting as their medical safety net make general surgery an eminently rewarding field.

“On one memorable busy surgery day a number of years ago, my case list included an infant with pyloric stenosis and the implantation of a pacemaker in a 100-year-old farmer. No other specialty prepares a surgeon for such a broad range of procedures that help patients at all stages of their lives,” he said.

Dr. Sarap looks forward to time when administrative burden decreases and “once again general surgeons will be able to do what we do best—care for our patients with the very best of our abilities.”