Most surgeons choose to specialize in pediatric surgery because of a deep love for children. When parents are told their child needs surgery, they are often in a state of shock and fear. Choosing the right pediatric surgeon becomes one of the most important decisions they will face. Parents should deeply research the pediatric surgeon prior to the surgery by contacting the Medical Board and the Department of Health. A consultation with the surgeon should be set up prior to the child’s surgery date to make sure that the parents completely understand the surgery and what the expected outcome will be. Parents should never hesitate to seek a second opinion.
When seeking a Colorado Springs pediatric surgeon, parents should have a general idea of the functions performed and the education required to specialize in such a field. Considered a surgery subspecialty, pediatric surgeons perform surgery only on fetuses, infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Within pediatric surgery are numerous distinct subspecialties that the surgeon may specialize in: neonatal surgery, fetal surgery, pediatric nephrological surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric cardiothoracic, pediatric emergency surgery, pediatric urological surgery, pediatric hepatological, maternal/fetal surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, pediatric oncological surgery, pediatric reconstructive surgery and pediatric orthopedic surgery.
Prior to becoming a pediatric surgeon, the physician should have attended and successfully graduated from an accredited medical school. Upon graduation, a pediatric surgeon is required to complete five years at of graduate surgical education. The additional required education needs to take place at an accredited surgery residency program. In order to be a pediatric surgeon, the physician must complete an additional two years of education that focuses on children’s surgery. After completely the two years, the surgeon must further his education by picking a pediatric surgical subspecialty. Once the surgeon has completed his required training in the pediatric subspecialty, he will receive certification after he completes an oral and written exam that focuses on pediatric surgery. Every 10 years, the surgeon must renew his certification to make sure he has remained up-to-date on all surgery procedures. Parents can locate a pediatric surgeon at facilities such as children’s hospitals, university-related medical care centers that have major pediatric services and most large urban community hospitals.
A pediatric surgeon is always focused on the preoperative, operative and postoperative medical care of the infant or child. Most pediatric surgeons require a referral from a primary care physician before they will see the child. Parent’s should also make sure that the fee’s charged by the pediatric surgeon are covered by their insurance plan.
References:
http://www.pediatricsurgerymd.org/What_is_a_Pediatric_Surgeon_.htm