Vascular surgeons are specialists in conditions affecting the vascular system, including arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. While arterial disease is associated most commonly with old age, a vascular doctor Singapore deals with all ages since they also treat congenital abnormalities and trauma.
Carotid artery disease, critical limb ischemia, venous disease, aneurysms, and lymphedema are conditions often encountered. A vascular doctor Singapore also encounters diabetic foot patients and those battling renal vascular disease. There is a mix between inpatients and outpatients depending on whether the surgeon is on emergency or elective duty.
Going with the nature of the vascular conditions, a vascular doctor Singapore often adopts a preventative role guiding patients to change their lifestyle in terms of diet and exercise. This comes in handy consider vascular patients have a significantly reduced quality of life from diseases such as varicose veins and intermittent claudication.
So, what does it take to become a vascular doctor Singapore? Well, entry to vascular surgery is possible after the completion of two years foundation training and core surgical training. Core surgical training lasts two years and is an opportunity for trainees to experience different surgical specialties.
Entry to vascular specialty training is highly competitive and is split into two stages: intermediate (ST3, ST4) and final (ST5-ST8). Due to the prevalence of emergency presentations in vascular surgery, all stages of specialty training entails emergency care with regular on-call commitments. To allow for comprehensive experience of vascular surgery subspecialities, trainees rotate between supervising consultants every 6-months.
With the competitive nature of the vascular surgery, showing interest and ample preparation is key. At the medical student level, this can be done by joining/founding local universities vascular surgery society. Networking with fellow surgeons and previous trainees is also a valuable resource as they can guide you through local departments and offer unique advice.
Remember, a vascular doctor Singapore is different from a cardiothoracic surgeon who operates on, and treats diseases of, the heart and other chest organs. Vascular surgeons mainly focus on blood vessels that are responsible for proper blood flow. They don’t perform tasks that involve the heart and lungs, which are two organs in which cardiothoracic surgeons specialize.
It is a requirement for vascular surgeons to possess a high level of knowledge in medical terms and the vascular system. This allows them to assess a patient’s condition effectively and reference what other doctors may endorse in their medical files.