School Student
What's surgery like?
David McCormack
ST3 Cardiothoracic Surgery - London Deanery
I am currently an ST3 in cardiothoracic surgery. My interest in surgery stemmed from the early years of medical school. I was drawn more to the lectures in physiology and anatomy than other topics. I was privileged enough to train in a university that taught dissection and I gained a great appreciation of human anatomy from this resource. During clinical years I really enjoyed my time in theatre. Moreover, it gave me great pleasure to speak to patients before and after their operations and see the immensely positive difference the surgery had made to their lives.
Upon watching my first open heart operation I decided that cardiothoracic surgery was the specialty for me. There is something captivating about the chest being opened to reveal a beating heart. This initial fascination was followed up by interesting intra-operative physiology and the tremendously fine surgical technique. It is a specialty where there is little if any room for mistakes and precision is paramount. There are numerous subspecialties ranging from paediatric congenital heart disease to resection of lung neoplasia.
Cardiothoracic surgery is a competitive specialty to get into! Having a long-term career goal has provoked me to be necessarily focussed in my undergraduate and postgraduate training. Many people are quick to dismiss surgery as something that it is impossible succeed in. This simply is not true! If you have the correct blend of ability, enthusiasm and dedication, you can achieve whatever you set your mind on. My advice to juniors would be to find your target and then get working!
Outside of surgery, I enjoy training and teaching karate. Whilst I no longer compete, I find time to coach the University of London Squad. Many of my students compete at the highest level and have won national championship medals. I regard maintaining a balance between work and play as imperative to achieving continued success.
