Does a General Surgeon in the Philippines have promising career opportunities?

Are you an aspiring General Surgeon worried about the possible career trajectory? That being the case, this piece will help you a lot! In this article, we’ll define general surgery and the pros and cons of becoming a General Surgeon. We will also provide a broad knowledge of various career opportunities in general surgery in the Philippines.

You will learn about:

  • What is a General Surgeon, and what do they do?
    • What is the importance of general surgery?
    • How to qualify as a General Surgeon in the Philippines?
  • The pros and cons of becoming a General Surgeon
  • Variety of General Surgeon career opportunities in the Philippines
  • How much is a General Surgeon salary in the Philippines?
  • Conclusion

What is a General Surgeon, and what do they do?

A General Surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in surgical procedures. The surgical procedures include altering body tissues or diagnosing and treating a medical condition. General Surgeons are trained in detail on the body’s healthy functions, healing wounds, the body systems, and infections. Consequently, compared to other surgeons, General Surgeons have medical knowledge in various areas such as the digestive tract, head and neck, blood vessels, the endocrine system, and the abdomen.

What is the importance of general surgery?

The importance of general surgery lies in its ability to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions. General Surgeons are often the first point of contact for patients who require surgical care, and they play a crucial role in identifying and treating surgical conditions. They are also essential in providing emergency care to patients who have sustained injuries or have developed sudden, life-threatening conditions that require immediate surgical intervention.

Additionally, general surgery plays a vital role in improving the overall health and well-being of the population. By providing effective surgical treatments, General Surgeons can help patients to recover from illness and injury and improve their quality of life. In many cases, general surgery can also help to prevent further health complications and improve long-term health outcomes.

How to qualify as a General Surgeon in the Philippines?

To become a General Surgeon in the Philippines, you must complete a medical degree from a recognized medical school. It typically takes about six years to complete. After graduating from medical school, you will be required to complete a surgical residency program, which typically takes another four to six years.

During your surgical residency, you will receive extensive training in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of a wide range of conditions and diseases. You will also gain experience in operating room procedures, anesthesia, and critical care.

After completing your surgical training, you will need to pass the Philippine Board of Surgery examination to obtain a license to practice as a General Surgeon in the country. This examination covers various surgery-related topics, including anatomy, physiology, and surgical techniques.

Once you have passed the examination and obtained your license, you can practice as a General Surgeon in the Philippines. You may choose to work in a hospital or clinic, or you may decide to open your private surgical practice. It is essential to continue learning and staying up-to-date on the latest surgery developments to provide the best possible care to your patients.

The pros and cons of becoming a General Surgeon

If you are interested in becoming a General Surgeon, carefully consider this career’s pros and cons before making a decision.

Pros of working as General Surgeon

Some potential advantages of this career include:

  • High earning potential. General Surgeon salary is comparatively high even in entry-level positions. As you gain experience and expertise, you can earn even more.
  • Job security. There will always be a need for skilled surgeons, and the demand for these professionals will likely remain strong in the coming years.
  • Helping others. As a General Surgeon, you can help people in a meaningful way. You will be able to make a positive difference in the lives of your patients by providing them with the surgical care they need.

Cons of working as General Surgeon

There are also some potential disadvantages to consider, including:

  • Long hours and demanding work. General Surgeons often work long hours, and the tasks can be physically and mentally demanding. You may have to be on call 24 hours a day and may need to be able to respond quickly to emergencies.
  • High stress. Surgeons are responsible for making life-or-death decisions on a regular basis, and the pressure of this can be intense. You may have to deal with difficult patients, challenging cases, and life-threatening situations.
  • Risk of injury. Surgeons are at risk of injury from sharp instruments, exposure to infectious diseases, and other hazards. You must take steps to protect yourself and your patients from these risks.

Variety of General Surgeon career opportunities in the Philippines

There are various settings for the General Surgeon jobs in the Philippines, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Some General Surgeon career variety in the Philippines includes:

Staff General Surgeon in a hospital or clinic

In this role, you would be responsible for providing surgical care to patients in a hospital or clinic setting. You would work with other medical professionals, including nurses, anesthesiologists, and other surgeons, to diagnose and treat various surgical conditions.

Private practice General Surgeon

In this role, you would open your surgical practice and provide surgical care to patients on a fee-for-service basis. You would be responsible for all aspects of running your practice, including managing staff, handling finances, and marketing your services to potential clients.

Research surgeon

In this role, you would work in a laboratory or other research setting, conducting studies and experiments to advance the field of surgery. You would be responsible for designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and publishing your findings in scientific journals.

Teaching surgeon

In this role, you would work as a medical school or other educational institution faculty member, teaching surgical techniques and principles to medical students and other trainees. You would also be responsible for conducting research and staying up-to-date on the latest developments in surgery.

How much is a General Surgeon salary in the Philippines?

The amount of payment a General Surgeon gets in the Philippines varies according to years of experience. Salary may also vary depending on factors such as the individual’s quality of education, the location and type of practice, and specialization within the field. All in all, a General Surgeon can get 1,180,464 PHP to 2,502,952 PHP per year, as stated by salary experts.

Conclusion

Being a general surgeon in the Philippines can be a rewarding and challenging career choice. General surgeons in the Philippines are responsible for diagnosing and treating various medical conditions and injuries through surgical procedures and may work in hospitals, clinics, or private practice. They must be licensed to practice medicine and adhere to ethical standards and may choose to become members of professional organizations to stay current in their field. While the work can be physically demanding and require long hours, it also offers the opportunity to help people and positively impact their health and quality of life. Are you ready to choose this path?

Are you a General Surgeon looking for a new role in the healthcare industry? Here at Doctor Jobs Today, we provide the most reliable and well-curated vacancies from the best medical institutions in the Philippines. You can also access various recommendations and guidelines to help you stay on track. Get your CV ready and find your future career in Doctor Jobs Today, now!

About Doctor Jobs Today

Doctor Jobs Today is the first job-seeking platform in Southeast Asia dedicated to serving the job-searching needs of healthcare professionals. We have created a space to connect employers and medical job seekers seamlessly. As part of the healthcare community, we aim to cater to medical doctors for their vacancy inquiries better than traditional job portals. With Docquity, you will only get job options that are relevant to you, sourced from the prestigious healthcare institutions in the country, because we are just as picky as you are!

Doctor Jobs Today has all the suitable vacancies you’re dreamed about: a higher Gynecologist salary, a better-equipped hospital for your specialization, or even a career shift from patient care.

About Docquity

If your educational and professional experience has not been sufficient to make your CV pop, expanding the network to other healthcare professionals to practice peer-to-peer learning might be the answer. One way to do it is by joining a social platform for healthcare professionals, such as Docquity

Docquity is an AI-based state-of-the-art private & secure continual learning network of verified doctors, bringing you real-time knowledge from thousands of doctors worldwide. Today, Docquity has over 300,000 doctors spread across six countries in Asia. 

Meet experts and trusted peers across Asia where you can safely discuss clinical cases, get up-to-date insights from webinars and research journals, and earn CME/CPD credits through certified courses. All with the ease of a mobile app available on Android & iOS platforms!

dr. Patrick Indradjaja

Medical Doctor, Master of Research in stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Manager of Growth Docquity Indonesia