
Pick your Speciality
General Surgery
Q&A Professional Association
What are the key points of specialist training?
Further training to become a specialist in surgery generally takes 6 years and is organised as follows:
-
- 45 to 69 months of clinical surgery including 6 months in a surgical/interdisciplinary emergency ward.
- 3 to 6 months of anaesthesiology and/or intensive care medicine (anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine together for a maximum of 6 months) at recognised training centres are mandatory.
- The minimum duration of an eligible training period per discipline is 3 months.
- Up to 24 months can be achieved with options (this includes other surgical disciplines).
- A change of training centre is necessary. The surgical catalogue must be completed during further training.
- There are three surgical specialisations: Combination module, musculoskeletal traumatology module and visceral surgery module.
- All our requirements and conditions can be found in the further training programme of the Swiss Society of Surgery (as of December 2023).
How expensive is this specialist training?
There are costs for:
-
- The examinations (written basic examination 600.-, oral specialist examination 1000.-)
- The various congresses (for example the Swiss College of Surgeons Annual Meeting with 80.- for assistants)
- Courses (for example the Advanced Trauma Life Support, ATLS 2000.-)
- The issue of the specialist diploma (4000.-)
However, the costs can vary greatly from individual to individual (which courses are attended, what proportion is covered by the clinic).
What further training options and specializations are there?
It is possible to obtain a specialization title following specialist training. This usually takes at least two more years. There is currently a specialization in visceral surgery, surgical senology and specialized traumatology. It is also possible to obtain various specialization certificates (e.g. point-of-care ultrasound POCUS or preclinical emergency medicine). The conditions for this vary depending on the qualification.
How can a stay abroad in this area be implemented or is it even necessary? (e.g. necessity of the USMLE)
It is indeed possible to complete part of your training abroad. However, it is advisable to obtain the approval of the Titles Commission beforehand. However, at least 2 years of further training must be completed in Switzerland. The entire period of further training as a specialist in surgery can be completed in Switzerland.
How well can this specialty be combined with research (clinical research or basic research)?
This can certainly be combined with specialist training. Working at a university or comparable research institute can be counted towards the training period for a maximum of 2 years.
How important is it to do research (e.g. to do an MD-PhD)?
This depends heavily on the longer-term career goal. At a university hospital or cantonal hospital, research endeavours are more frequent and more important than at smaller hospitals. A publication or dissertation as first author is required to become a specialist in surgery.
How important is it for your starting job to gain an insight into this subject area during the elective year?
It is not compulsory to gain an insight into the subject during the elective year. However, it is certainly helpful as it gives you a first impression of the subject and allows you to make contacts. This makes it easier to find your first training position after the federal examination.
Q&A Physicians
Physician, M, 34 years old
How old are you?
34 y/o
Where did you study and when did you graduate?
University of Bern, 2014
Do you have a doctorate?
Yes
When did you become a specialist?
2022
How long did your specialist training take?
???
What is your current position (and background)?
Currently employed as deputy senior physician at the University Clinic for Visceral Surgery and Medicine at Inselspital Bern. Specialist training in 6 years, two years each at Davos Hospital (surgery), Cantonal Hospital Graubünden Chur (surgery) and Inselspital Bern (visceral surgery) with a 6-month rotation in the intensive care unit.
How does your working week look like?
I work 100% as a deputy senior consultant in visceral surgery and work full-time as a clinician. I have contact with patients every day, whether on the emergency ward, the normal ward, the intensive care unit or in the operating theatre. In the Acute Care Surgery Team (visceral emergency surgery), I work five days a week on day shift followed by four night shifts the following week. The workload consists of 50 hours of clinical work per week. I also spend 10-15 hours on independent further training (medical journals, articles, videos and podcasts) and am politically involved in the Swiss Society of Surgery (SGC).
When and why did you choose this specialization?
During my elective year in surgery, I experienced how intensive training in the operating theatre can be and how beautiful the operating theatre workplace is during a metal removal operation on a clavicle. The patient gives up control and responsibility and entrusts himself to the team. Taking on this responsibility is very fulfilling. As a medical treatment team, I am fascinated by the path to an optimal result.
How would you describe your time as a resident?
An exciting, challenging and varied journey of discovery and learning through Switzerland, characterised by craftsmanship. In three hospitals in two Swiss cantons, you will get to know many different people and places and learn to recognise and appreciate the diversity of our country.
Is part-time work possible already during residency?
Part-time work during further training in surgery is possible, but tends to be the individual exception. Covering the various shifts and rotations is a challenge. Continuous patient contact and regular collaboration with supervisors are important for learning the surgical craft.
What working modalities does your specialist title offer?
The majority of further training takes place in hospital. The training centres are divided into categories that determine how many years can be credited towards the specialist title. General practices with surgical capacities in a hospital can also be recognised. The same applies to research.
How competitive is it to complete this specialist title in Switzerland?
Mediocre. Jobs as a surgical assistant are geographically diverse and the chances of finding employment are good. There is a certain amount of competition in the surgical teams, as a number of specified procedures must be achieved. It becomes particularly competitive after specialisation when it comes to senior consultant and management positions. Highly specialised areas of surgery are also much more competitive.
How would you rate your work-life balance on a scale of 1-10? Would your colleagues with the same specialist title confirm this?
7
How easy is it to implement family planning in this field?
I see many colleagues who are parents as well as very good doctors. I personally can’t judge how easily this can be implemented.
What do you wish you had known before your specialist training?
That the learning period really begins after the acquisition of the specialist title.
Why should someone choose this specialty?
Because it is a privilege to be there for other people in difficult situations. Standing up for another person as part of a team is exceptionally fulfilling.
What challenges await someone in this field?
Surgery is a challenge for body and mind. The working days and nights are often long and the operations can be quite strenuous, so you need to be physically resilient. In addition, there is the responsibility that you have to bear for other people and which quickly gives feedback in the form of complications.
Is it necessary to write the master’s/doctoral thesis in this subject area?
A master’s or doctoral thesis is definitely a good way to enter the surgical world and make your first contacts. But it is not an obligation.
Is it possible to find an assistant doctor position in this specialty directly after the federal examination?
In general surgery, it is the norm to start after the federal examination. In surgical specialities, clinics often require several years of professional experience.
What advice would you give to young medical students?
“Tell The Truth – Or At Least Don’t Lie” after Jordan B. Peterson. I recommend reading his book “12 Rules for Life” before the first post on medicine.
Physician, M, 40 years old
How old are you?
40 y/o
Where did you study and when did you graduate?
2012
Do you have a doctorate?
No
When did you become a specialist?
2020
How long did your specialist training take?
???
What is your current position (and background)?
–
How does your working week look like?
50 to 70 hours, depending on the shift, divided into consultation hours, supervision of ward rounds, operations, administrative work, research activity, activity for education and training, student teaching, specialist society, etc.
When and why did you choose this specialization?
In 2006 at the start of the program.
How would you describe your time as a resident?
Exciting, instructive, hard, fulfilling, frustrating, enriching, important.
Is part-time work possible already during residency?
Possible, but not recommended.
What working modalities does your specialist title offer?
Hospital, practice, research, industry, everything!
How competitive is it to complete this specialist title in Switzerland?
The specialist title is not competitive, but the management positions after that are.
How would you rate your work-life balance on a scale of 1-10? Would your colleagues with the same specialist title confirm this?
8
How easy is it to implement family planning in this field?
One is family planning, the other is time management.
What do you wish you had known before your specialist training?
Nothing.
Why should someone choose this specialty?
Surgery is the perfect mix of theoretical knowledge and manual activities with a bit of research and teaching.
What challenges await someone in this field?
It takes a lot of staff to make the system work, but not so many senior doctors. Fulfilling the catalogue is a bit of a challenge.
Is it necessary to write the master’s/doctoral thesis in this subject area?
Master’s thesis yes, doctoral thesis no, but recommended.
Is it possible to find an assistant doctor position in this specialty directly after the federal examination?
Immediately, yes.
What advice would you give to young medical students?
- Children after the FA.
- Everyone should have an idea of what they want to do in a year, in 5 years and in 10 years.
- Build up a large network, vitamin B is key.