Studying
The basic studies and teaching in surgery is carried out in two semesters C7 and C12. These studies form a part of the examination of medical licenciate. In the 7th semester surgical teaching is composed of lectures, working in hospital wards, teaching rounds, demonstrations and practical training in the first-aid polyclinic as well as in operation rooms. Practical training in surgical out-patient procedures is given in the nearby health centres and the surgical out-patient ward of Turku University Hospital. Approximately fifty percent of the students undergo teaching and practical learning in general surgery in two-week periods in the surgical clinic of the Satakunta Central Hospital. The surgical course in the 7th semester contains altogether 5 study weeks and 1 study week of training in the first-aid polyclinic. The surgical course on the 12th semester is composed of lectures, working in the surgical wards, service in the out-patient polyclinic and teaching rounds (altogether 6 study weeks). In addition, 11 study weeks of optional teaching belong to the entity of surgical studies. The final written examination in surgery is organised at the end of the 12th semester. The details of the work of clinical assistant are given in a special guidebook.
The continuing education in surgery is composed of training of surgical residents or and scientific training. Education of residents is given in all special branches of surgery. In these 6-year training programs the first 3 years form so-called common trunk education. The goal of the common trunk education is to give each surgical resident necessary information and training to act as a surgeon in acute situations. Nine months of education in basic health care also belong to the common trunk program. The rest of the common trunk education takes place in central and district hospitals, which have made an educational contract with the University of Turku. The specific educational period in each surgical speciality also consists of 3 years. This educational section is given mainly in the Turku University Hospital. The educational programs of all surgical specialities contain a minimum of 100 hours of theoretical course-type training of which the required amount of administrative training is 20 hours. At the end of each surgical residence program there is a nationwide written examination.
The doctoral education leads to a publication of doctoral thesis. This relatively large scientific work is carried out under close supervision of a senior surgeon(s). The thesis may be composed of purely surgical research but also of co-operation with departments or institutions outside the Department of Surgery.
Continuous surgical education is given annually in congresses and seminars organised by the Department of Surgery, University of Turku itself as well as in foreign and national conferences of various surgical societies.