How to become A Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeon

A Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeon combines general surgical skills, low-risk minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, and specialized knowledge of women’s health to bring relief to their patients.

• Gynecologic Laparoscopic Medical Practitioner
• Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgeon

What do Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeons do?

A Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeon would typically need to:

• Treat disorders and diseases of female organs after examining the pelvic or reproductive organs with a laparoscope
• Collect, record, and maintain patient information such as medical histories, reports, and examination results from patients, family members, or other medical professionals
• Analyze records, reports, test results, and examination information to explain medical procedures and discuss test results with patients and family members
• Offer diagnosis or treatment for endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, and fibroids, scar tissue, and ovarian cysts
• Close the fallopian tubes so that the patient can no longer get pregnant
• Investigate, by taking biopsy samples, whether the patient has cancer, or if the patient’s cancer has spread
• Monitor patients’ condition and progress and re-evaluate treatment, if necessary
• Work cooperatively with other medical teams; refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources, if needed
• Advise patients and community members regarding diet, activity, hygiene, disease prevention, and safety
• Direct and coordinate the activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff, as appropriate
• Contribute to the educational program for trainees in obstetrics and gynecology
• Demonstrate academic curiosity through continued research within the hospital, publications, contributions to educational programs for trainees in obstetrics & gynecology, and participation in industry-sponsored investigations

Working conditions vary according to specialty. Settings include wards, consulting rooms, operating theatres, laboratories, and special units such as Accident and Emergency (A&E). Scrubs, caps, and masks are the norm inside the OR. Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgeons should change scrubs and hats before speaking with family members after a surgical procedure. Scrubs should be covered with a lab coat when outside the OR area.

Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeons work long, irregular, and overnight hours. Travel is occasionally required as part of the working day. If you're on an on-call rota system, you may frequently be absent from home overnight. Positions in private practice can provide more flexibility or management of your hours

Opportunities within the armed forces are limited, with some possibility of working overseas. There are also some opportunities to work within the prison service. Voluntary and charitable organizations employ small numbers of doctors to work in developing countries.

Specialist recruitment agencies may hold jobs. Individual trusts and hospitals advertise vacancies on their websites and sometimes in printed bulletins.

Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeons are generally employed by:

• Hospitals
• Private Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) Centers
• Armed Forces
• Prisons
• Non-Profits

Professional associations and organizations are crucial for Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeons interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications.

• Physically and mentally demanding work
• Long unsocial hours
• Responsibility for patients' health and wellbeing

Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgeons must complete five to seven years in internship and residency programs under the supervision of experienced physicians. Hospitals and clinics offer experience in diagnosing and treating illnesses in a variety of areas. Preference will be given to physicians who demonstrate proficiency and scholarly achievement in an aligned area of women’s health.

Almost all physicians complete at least four years of undergraduate school in biology, chemistry, physics, math, English, humanities, or social sciences and four years of medical school. Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgeons must complete a master’s program from an accredited medical institution (MD /DO), an accredited OB/GYN-residency, and a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) fellowship.

Balancing work with further study for about five years after graduation is usually needed to gain specialist qualifications. Training for some roles maybe longer.

Certification from an objective, credible and reputed organization demonstrates a Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgeon’s competency in a skill, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an examination, or some combination of the three. It helps increase your chances of promotion or advancement, validates your knowledge, increases your confidence at work, and helps you become an independent consultant.

Successful certification programs serve and protect the public welfare by investigating Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgeons that practice outside of the program’s Code of Ethics. They help the profession secure its future by earning trust and respect.

Individual government entities do licensing. It typically requires passing an examination and an interview, in addition to fulfillment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.

Most Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgeons aspire to become a Consultant, supervising the work and training of all doctors on their team. You can apply for Consultancy roles six months before you achieve your certificate of completion of training (CCT) at the end of your specialist training.

Progression may take longer than six months as new experience and research are crucial for competitive posts. As a Consultant, opportunities at managerial level include Clinical Lead within a team, Clinical Director of a department, and Medical Director within a trust.

Progression through the different grades involves study and continuing professional development (CPD) in the form of assessment and examinations.

There are also opportunities for a Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgeon to move into academic medicine or research within their specialist areas, but further qualifications are indispensable.

Job prospects should be healthy because of the increased awareness of women’s health and well being.

Professional development activities are designed to maintain, develop, and increase knowledge and skills while offering opportunities to enhance occupational performance and relationships. Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeons can take additional postgraduate qualifications, including certificate, diploma and masters courses in medical education while attending conferences, meetings, and events, and carrying research and peer review.

Discussions focused on ethics, communication skills, information management, evidence-based medicine, continuing medical education, and stress management nurture personal growth and development. Ethical issues, such as euthanasia and the threat of litigation, are key topics to be aware of.

Specializations

Specializations may include obstetrics & gynecology, maternal & fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, and reproductive endocrinology; Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeons may also provide general medical care women; opportunities exist in most large towns and cities.

Evolution

Laparoscopy continues to evolve as more sophisticated instrumentation allows a greater variety of procedures. Laparoscopic hysterectomies require no unsightly incisions and provide patients much faster, far less painful recoveries.

High Surgical Volumes

Gaining proficiency and confidence requires constant practice and continuous, high surgical volumes to ensure continued skill and comfort with these procedures. Practices specializing in Laparoscopic Surgery may average 300 procedures in a year.

Unique Complications

In addition to the traditional risks of surgery such as infection and generalized bleeding, Laparoscopy is a technique that presents its own unique and rare complications including damage to organs in the abdomen, complications from general anesthesia, inflammation of the abdominal wall, or a blood clot which could travel to your pelvis, legs or lungs.

Increased Accountability

Health service modernization and the increasing emphasis on patient choice and patient safety mean an increase in accountability and paperwork in all promoted posts.

Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeons work to help women with the least invasive and most effective procedures possible.

Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgeons find themselves alternately challenged, exhausted, and happy as valuable members of diverse, elite teams. They are at ease in a multitude of roles: leading in an emergency; being directed as part of a hospital ward or an on-call team; having an equal partnership in the consultation; and working at a distance as in research/audit. It is a unique specialty that allows you to experience the satisfaction, joy, and the challenge of empowering women to make informed choices about their health.

Study, while others are sleeping. Work while others are loafing. Prepare while others are playing. And dream while others are wishing.