Consider a Career in Hand Surgery
Hand surgery is the field of medicine that deals with
problems of the hand, wrist and forearm. Hand surgeons care for these
problems without surgery, and they are specially trained to operate when
necessary.
Training
Requirements
Board
Certification
Job Market
Other resources
Training Requirements
A career in hand surgery begins with a high school
diploma, a four year college degree, and
completion of medical school.
After medical school, you must attend a residency
program, where you will receive clinical training in a
specialized area. Training in hand surgery begins with one of the
following residencies:
- Orthopaedic Surgery (5 years)
- Plastic Surgery (5-7 years)
- General Surgery (5 years)
After a residency is successfully completed, hand surgeons
complete a one year fellowship in hand surgery. Hand
surgery fellowship programs cover:
-
Trauma surgery of the hand and wrist, including replantation of
severed body parts
-
Congenital differences
-
Microvascular surgery
-
Arthritis surgery (both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis)
-
Reconstructive wrist surgery
-
Peripheral nerve surgery
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Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hand
Surgery (CAQHS)
The Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hand
Surgery is equivalent to board certification in hand
surgery.
-
Surgeons must receive board certification in their primary board --
generally based on the type of program in which they did their residency
training.
-
They must complete a one year fellowship in hand surgery.
-
They must submit one year's case list with cases in six of nine
core hand-related areas.
-
They must pass the exam with a satisfactory score.
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Job Market for Hand Surgeons
The job market for hand surgery has been stable for many years. There
are always more job openings per year than the number of hand surgery
fellows who are completing their training. The American Society for
Surgery of the Hand website offers a space for job seekers to post
resumes, and hand surgeon employers to post positions. To get an idea of
what is currently available, visit the ASSH Career Center.
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Questions? Email info@assh.org.
More Information
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
Education
National
Residency Matching Program
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