A surgery fellowship, also known as a surgical fellowship, is a hands-on training program that a surgeon can choose to participate in. After a surgeon has completed a residency program, he or she will begin this training. A surgeon is considered an expert in a particular field of surgery after completing a surgery fellowship.
A surgery fellowship is not required of all surgeons. Fellowship programs are designed to provide additional education to surgeons who want to specialize in a particular area of surgery. A surgeon can choose to be a generalist, for which a license will be granted at the conclusion of the surgeon’s residency. This license allows the surgeon to practice without the oversight of a more experienced physician. A surgeon will be granted additional accreditation at the end of a fellowship period, stating that he or she is an expert in the field in which the surgery fellowship was completed.
A surgeon can pursue a surgery fellowship in a number of different fields. Pediatric surgery, orthopedic surgery, and neurosurgery are common programs. To be eligible for a fellowship in one of these programs, or another, a surgeon must have completed specialized residency training that provides them with the necessary knowledge to begin the surgery fellowship.
A surgery fellowship application is a competitive process, and not all surgeons who apply will be accepted. Letters of recommendation from doctors who have worked with the applicant, strong performance in medical school and on medical board examinations, and the surgeon’s demonstration that he or she will perform well in a fellowship program are all required for these programs, which are run out of universities and hospitals. Though it is not a requirement of fellowship programs, surgeons who have published articles in medical journals are frequently given preference, indicating that they are up-to-date on the latest practices and that they are contributing to the academic dialogue surrounding surgical practice.
A surgeon who is enrolled in a surgery fellowship is a fully licensed physician who sees patients and performs surgeries. This is always done under the supervision of a senior surgeon who serves as a mentor to the junior surgeon. Though the less experienced surgeon performs many procedures, the mentor is close and ready to intervene if a problem arises or to consult with the fellow if he or she is unsure of how to proceed.