Surgeons
Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body for specific reason. It extends from repairing a tear or breakage, removing a diseased organ, implanting a new organ, bypassing a blocked or diseased part of the body, skin renovation and interventional radiology, the latest robotic surgery to cosmetic surgeons using lasers to help suck fat out of patients. In 1800, the Royal College of Surgeons in London started offering a formal status.
Upon completion of the designated course of graduation from medical schools, the United Kingdom confers the professional degree of M.B.B.S. (Bachelor of medicine & Bachelor of Surgery combined). In Scotland, this degree is named as Doctor of medicine. In the past, it is believed that universities namely the Oxford and the Cambridge were awarding the two degrees separately in different years. Sometime in the middle of the 19th.century, it became mandatory to be conferred the twin degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees together. This is now prevalent in almost all the Commonwealth countries. An MBBS may pursue his studies further to acquire the higher degree of the Master of Surgery.
“Do unto others as you would have them do to you” is the essence implicit in the classical Hippocratic Oath and this is also the seed material for the standard set out by the General Medical Council for the doctors registered with it. As we go into the details of the ethics expected from a medical professional, we find that it boils down to a humane approach and trustworthy standing.
The primary concern of a surgeon should be the health of his patient and for this; he should provide the best available practice. He must keep on upgrading his knowledge and skill. He must not go beyond the limit of his competence. Patients should be treated respectfully and their confidentiality should be preserved. The surgeon should strive for inculcating confidence in the patient regarding the course of treatment. He should also keep the patient well informed in order to boost his morale. This shall act beneficially both ways. He must be honest and upright with his patients and colleagues and should not discriminate unfairly among the patients or colleagues.
With the changing times, the ethics and code of conduct set out by the RMC needs revision. There are certain developments in the field of surgery which need immediate attention. For example, stealing the body organs and transplanting into others for the love of money, foeticide and plastic surgery to disguise an identity are some aberrations to be thought upon.
One of the major considerations with cosmetic surgeons and making sure the patient is fully informed and we have further information on breast surgery that patients might find useful when doing your reaseach on cosmetic surgeons.