title: [The importance of master's degree and doctorate degree in general surgery].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Doctor of Philosophy is the highest academic degree that can be obtained in universities. Graduate Education Program in Medicine in Mexico is divided into 2 major categories: Medical Specialty and Master studies/Doctor of Philosophy. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the importance of master's degrees and Doctor of Philosophy in general surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search in PubMed and Medline among others, from 1970 to 2015 with subsequent analysis of the literature reviews found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The physicians who conducted doctoral studies stand out as leaders in research, teaching and academic activities. Dual training with a doctorate medical specialty is a significant predictor for active participation in research projects within the best educational institutions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It is important to study a PhD in the education of doctors specialising in surgery, who show more training in teaching, research and development of academic activities. Currently, although there is a little proportion of students who do not finish the doctoral program, the ones who do are expected to play an important role in the future of medical scientific staff. It has been shown that most doctors with Doctor of Philosophy have wide range of career options.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The importance of doctoral studies in the formation of general surgery is due to various reasons; the main one being comprehensively training physician scientists who can develop in clinical, teaching and research.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General, Unidad 304, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Secretaría de Salud, México D.F., México. Electronic address: montalvoeduardo@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Eduardo Esteban
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Montalvo-Javé
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México.
authors.forename: Germán Eduardo
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Mendoza-Barrera
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México.
authors.forename: Alan Isaac
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Valderrama-Treviño
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México.
authors.forename: Stefany
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alcántara-Medina
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México.
authors.forename: Nain Abraham
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Macías-Huerta
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México.
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tapia-Jurado
mesh_terms: D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*
keywords: Academic degree; Cirugía; Cirujano; Doctor; Doctorado; Especialidad médica; Estudios de posgrado; Grados académicos; Leadership; Liderazgo; Maestría; Master's degree; Medical specialty; Postgraduate studies; Surgeons; Surgery