Surgeons May Need Professional Training

It seems from the results of a recent research study, published online by the British Medical Journal, that patients are safest under the care of a surgeon aged between 35 and 50. It is usually after they have been practising for around ten years that surgeons reach the peak of their career. After 50, some surgeons retire, aware of declining performance.

However, until now no one has known how long surgeons can be expected to perform operations to the highest standards.

The researchers, from the University of Lyon, focused on a well known procedure - removal of the thyroid - making adjustments for variants such as age and general health of the patients. The operations were performed in five busy French hospitals.

The two usual main complications in this operation were least likely to occur where surgeons had over five years of experience and less than 20 years - those in the 35 to 50 age group. Older surgeons were liable to be distracted by additional responsibilites due to their vast experience and also tended to be tired of conducting the same procedures year after year.

The conclusion was that older surgeons need more than accumulated experience and may benefit from more ongoing training.

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