A residency in orthopedic surgery is on-the-job training for a doctor interested in becoming an orthopedic surgeon. By providing a diverse range of hands-on experiences, this type of training typically prepares a surgeon to perform general and orthopedic surgeries. In addition, residency programs in orthopedic surgery expose aspiring surgeons to a variety of sub-specialties in the field of orthopedic medicine. An orthopedic surgery residency, like other types of on-the-job training, usually pays the participant while allowing him to gain valuable experience that will help him succeed as a surgeon.
Aspiring orthopedic surgeons typically spend several years preparing for their future careers in health care. They go to college for four years and then go to medical school for another four years. However, even after they graduate, their preparation isn’t complete. In order to begin their careers, aspiring surgeons must first complete an orthopedic surgery residency, which is an on-the-job training program. The duration of this residency varies, but it usually lasts around five years.
An aspiring surgeon becomes a member of the surgical team at the facility that offers the residency program during an orthopedic surgery residency. Typically, this is a hospital, but surgeons in residency programs can also be found in schools and other types of facilities. During an orthopedic surgery residency, the aspiring orthopedic surgeon will usually be required to work according to a strict schedule, but he may also be required to work on call. He can be called in to work on an as-needed basis because he is on call.
During an orthopedic surgery residency, an aspiring surgeon will most likely rotate through various departments, including the emergency room, critical care, and plastic surgery. He’ll usually get training in neurosurgery as well as a variety of orthopedic surgery subspecialties like reconstruction, pediatric orthopedics, hand surgery, foot surgery, and spine surgery. He could also pursue training in microvascular surgery, which deals with small blood vessels, and orthopedic oncology, which deals with soft tissue and bone tumors. Sports medicine and spine surgery are frequently included.
The aspiring surgeon’s residency training usually progresses with steadily increasing levels of independence. From observing and assisting with surgeries, he will most likely progress to acting as the primary surgeon on his own cases. As part of his orthopedic surgery residency, he may also participate in research and attend conferences and seminars.