The "global surgeon": is it time for modifications in the American surgical training paradigm?

OBJECTIVE: "Global surgery" is becoming an increasingly popular concept not only for new trainees, but also for established surgeons. The need to provide surgical care in low-resource settings is laudable, but the American surgical training system currently does not impart the breadth of skills required to provide quality care. We propose one possible model for a surgical fellowship program that provides those trainees who desire to practice in these settings a comprehensive experience that encompasses not only broad technical skills but also the opportunity to engage in policy and programmatic development and implementation.

METHODS: This is a descriptive commentary based on personal experience and a review of the literature.

RESULTS: The proposed model is 2 years long, and can either be done after general surgery training as an additional "global surgery" fellowship or as part of a 3 + 2 general surgery + global surgery system. It would incorporate training in general surgery as well as orthopedics, urology, obstetrics & gynecology, neurosurgery, plastics & reconstructive surgery, as well as dedicated time for health systems training. Incorporating such training in a low-resource setting would be a requirement of such a program, in order to obtain field experience.

CONCLUSIONS: Global surgery is a key word these days in attracting young trainees to academic surgical residency programs, yet they are subsequently inadequately trained to provide the required surgical services in these low-resource settings. Dedicated programmatic changes are required to allow those who choose to practice in these settings to obtain the full breadth of training needed to become safe, competent surgeons in such environments.