The subspecialization of surgery: a paradigm shift.
General surgery has become increasingly fragmented into subspecialties and diseases previously treated by general surgeons are now managed by "specialists". The Resident Education Committee of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) has reviewed the history of surgical training and factors that have contributed to this evolution to subsepcialization. As it is unlikely that this paradigm shift is reversible, a clear understanding of the contributing factors is essential. Herein, we present a timeline and taxonomy of forces in this evolution to subspecialization.
University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA.
Stephen D
SD
Bruns
Brian R
BR
Davis
Aram N
AN
Demirjian
Sabha
S
Ganai
Michael G
MG
House
Reza F
RF
Saidi
Bhavin C
BC
Shah
Sanda A
SA
Tan
Kenric M
KM
Murayama
D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D005060:Europe; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D013038:Specialization / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce