Specialization in oncosurgery is not against the surgeon’s best interest

Summary

An analysis of the current situation in the surgical treatment of solid malignant tumors in the Czech Republic demonstrates the need to impose a concept of oncosurgical care, which would lead to a steady improvement in the quality of care provided by surgeons in oncosurgery. The primary aim is that surgery plays an appropriate role in the complex care of oncology patients and that surgeons become equal partners to radiation and internal oncologists in the determination of diagnostic – therapeutic plans and in other decision-making processes. This aim is not possible without increasing the qualification of surgeons in oncosurgery. Our more than ten year effort culminated in 2011 with the introduction of the specialized field of oncosurgery into the postgradual education of surgeons; and as such, similarly to most other developed countries, provided the official opportunity to educate surgeons in the field of oncology. Other important tasks which would contribute to increasing the quality of oncosurgery include rational concentration of oncosurgical operations to a smaller number of surgical departments, where it is necessary to ensure both the improvement of surgeon qualification by way of oncosurgical specialization, as well as adequate material and financial support for complex oncosurgical procedures.

Key words:
oncosurgery in the Czech Republic – High volume hospitals – education in oncosurgery