Buzz
Orthopedics involves diagnosing and treating issues related to the musculoskeletal system, and orthopedic surgeons are specialized in performing surgeries on patients with bone, muscle, and joint problems. While surgery is a significant aspect of their practice, they also prescribe rehabilitative treatments for individuals with musculoskeletal issues. Orthopedic surgeons hold hospital privileges and may work independently, as part of an orthopedic group, or as specialists in a multi-specialty practice.
Procedures
Navigating Through Education
Develop an educational roadmap. Begin planning for a career in orthopedic surgery as early as high school. Academic excellence, effective study habits, and quick learning are crucial. Build a strong high school profile with outstanding grades, test scores, community service, and extracurricular involvement to secure admission to a reputable college.
- Focus on maintaining a stellar high school record, including exceptional grades, standardized test scores, participation in community service, and engagement in extracurricular activities, to enhance your chances of admission to top-tier colleges.
- Submit a compelling college application highlighting your personal attributes, leadership qualities, and letters of recommendation from educators.
- High school courses relevant to orthopedic surgery may include biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and Advanced Placement (AP) science courses.
Cultivate effective study habits. From high school through medical school and beyond, developing strong study skills is essential for success in the field of orthopedic surgery. Surgeons must excel in study management, self-discipline, memorization, organization, and concentration.
Enhance finger dexterity. Surgeons, especially orthopedic specialists, require excellent manual dexterity, particularly in delicate procedures such as spinal surgery. Activities like playing musical instruments, sewing, or crafting can help improve finger coordination. Additionally, practicing drawing, drafting, or playing video games can enhance spatial visualization skills necessary for successful surgeries.
Complete undergraduate studies. Aspiring orthopedic surgeons should pursue a bachelor's degree in biology, pre-medicine, or related fields before applying to medical school. Maintaining a strong academic record and excelling on the MCAT exam are crucial for admission to medical school.
Attend medical school. After completing undergraduate studies and achieving a high MCAT score, aspiring orthopedic surgeons must attend medical school to earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) or Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. High academic performance is essential for securing a residency position.
Complete a 5-year residency. Orthopedic surgeons undergo rigorous residency training lasting five years, specializing in orthopedic practices. Residency programs typically include four years of orthopedic surgery training followed by one year of general medicine training, with variations in curriculum structure among programs.
Obtaining Certification
Prepare for the licensing examination. Upon completing residency, orthopedic surgeons are eligible for medical and surgical practice licensure. To attain final certification, passing the orthopedic board exam is necessary, typically after two years of practice. The exam comprises both written and oral components and is often taken during residency.
Achieve success in the Medical Licensure Boards. Orthopedic surgeons must pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and/or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensure Examination (COMLEX) to legally practice medicine. These exams assess a doctor's competence across various domains, including knowledge, concepts, and principles.
Successfully complete the board certification exam. Aspiring orthopedic specialists must pass the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS) and/or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery (AOBOS) exams to obtain licensure. The Maintenance of Certification (MOC) exam ensures adherence to safe orthopedic practices and consists of four sections.
- Exam fees exceed $1,650, with a $250 late fee.
- Recertification is required every 7 to 10 years.
Exploring the Discipline
Understand surgical frequency. Orthopedic surgeons typically split their duties equally between surgery and non-surgical care. Even if surgery is your passion, anticipate spending half your time in outpatient care.
- Surgical procedures include repairing injuries to bones, joints, tendons, skin, nerves, ligaments, or muscles.
Master non-surgical patient care. Since half of an orthopedic surgeon's patients don't require surgery, proficiency in non-surgical treatments is essential. Utilize rehabilitative methods alongside surgical options.
- Apply medical knowledge and physical techniques to manage musculoskeletal issues effectively.
Collaborate with fellow physicians. Orthopedic surgeons often partner with other specialists to address diverse medical conditions. Their extensive knowledge, gained through residency programs that include general medicine experience, enables them to provide comprehensive care.
- They serve as consultants for primary care physicians and handle various conditions like fractures, sprains, ligament tears, congenital abnormalities, and bone tumors.
- Orthopedic surgeons are skilled in joint replacement surgeries.
Stay updated on career demands. Even after obtaining licensure, orthopedic surgeons must stay informed about advancements in their field. They should be knowledgeable about medical technologies, ethical standards, and developments in pharmacology and physiology.
- Continued education, including attending conferences and workshops, is crucial alongside patient care.
- Recertification through ABOS or AOBOS is necessary every 7 to 10 years.
Understand job prospects and earnings. The outlook for orthopedic surgeons is promising, with a projected 15% growth in the surgical field from 2016 to 2026. The median annual salary for surgeons in the U.S. was $208,000 in 2016, while orthopedic surgeons typically earn around $535,668 annually.
Finding Job Opportunities
Join a hospital team. Presently, only eight percent of orthopedic surgeons are exclusively employed by hospitals, but this figure is expected to rise. Hospital employment offers stable hours and relieves the burden of managing a private practice.
- However, hospital employment entails adhering to set schedules and protocols.
Establish your own practice. Approximately 20 percent of orthopedic surgeons operate their private practices, surpassing the number working in hospitals. Solo practices provide autonomy, allowing surgeons to control their schedules, albeit with added administrative responsibilities.
- Running a solo practice necessitates business acumen as it involves managing a small enterprise.
Join an orthopedic group. A majority—43 percent—of orthopedic surgeons are part of private practices, either within orthopedic or multi-specialty groups. Collaborating within an orthopedic group enables shared business management and coverage opportunities.
- However, joining a group may limit individual recognition.
Participate in a multi-specialty group. Some orthopedic surgeons integrate into practices offering various orthopedic specialties like spine, sports medicine, and hip surgery. Multi-specialty setups typically offer higher compensation rates than other practice types.
- For instance, orthopedic spine surgeons in multi-specialty groups earned over $622,000 in 2009, surpassing the $605,000 average in single-specialty practices.
Pointers
-
The steps mentioned above delineate the path to becoming an orthopedic surgeon in the U.S., a process which remains fundamentally similar across various nations.
- For instance, in the UK, physicians who have concluded their training may pursue orthopedic specialization through a two-year foundational program followed by acceptance into advanced training schemes.
- In Australia, doctoral candidates can transition into a surgical specialty by securing residency placements that provide training in surgery and orthopedic surgery.
-
Many orthopedic specialists contribute to education, whether through instructing at medical schools or overseeing resident training.
-
The demand for orthopedic surgeons is impacted by an aging populace and advancements in medical technology.
