Kaitlyn Crow

Mr. Ratliff
ISM-1
6 September 2019
Emergency Medicine
Research Assessment #3

“What Is Trauma Surgery? Dr. Darko Shares His Story.” ​Medical School Headquarters​, 20 Feb.
2019,
https://medicalschoolhq.net/ss-28-what-is-trauma-surgery-dr-darko-shares-his-story/

This particular article focuses on trauma surgery specifically. It is a transcript of an

interview with Dr. Nii Darko, a trauma surgeon and DO. It is rare to see a DO that went on to
become a surgeon, but it is something that I am interested in doing myself. DOs, or Doctors of
Osteopathic Medicine, tend to focus on considering alternative treatments before surgery or
intense medication. For this reason, they are less likely than MDs to become surgeons. However,
I find the combination of DOs and surgery very appealing, since it gives the physician depth in
their practice as they would be trained to consider two very different angles of medicine.
Dr. Darko noted that 70% of his cases are critical, trauma based injuries, while the rest is
general surgery. I had believed that most of what trauma surgeons do is general surgery, with
critical cases being the anomaly. However, I find the truth much more appealing, since I would
prefer to work the more intense injury cases. It is important to consider that this ratio depends
largely on the area one works in. A rural town will likely have less trauma cases than New York
City. For ISM, I would like to shadow a trauma surgeon in Dallas, since I believe they will have
more of the critical cases I am drawn to.
In my previous research assessment, I learned about the schedules of ER doctors, which
is surprisingly very different from that of trauma surgeons. Dr. Danko works two weeks on and
two weeks off, during which he is completely disconnected from the hospital. I find this schedule
much more appealing, since it would allow me to spend a lot of time with family and friends
outside of my hospital life. This schedule is very unique to trauma surgery, as other specialties of
medicine have a reputation for being non-stop work. As much as I value my future career, I also
value having a personal life and time to spend with loved ones. However, this schedule may not
be available at every hospital.
Dr. Danko emphasizes that the lifestyle of trauma surgeons is “not sustainable.” It is
concerning to go into a career where you know that you will not be able to continue it for your
whole life. Although, trauma surgeons can easily become regular ER physicians, clinicians, or
EMS consultants later in life.
 One aspect of trauma surgery that I enjoy is the fact that they follow through with
patients. Many other specialties have to pass patients around to other specialists, but trauma
surgeons stay with patients and their families until they are ready to be discharged. I like the idea
of forming relationships with my patients in this way, since I have really enjoyed doing this in
my hospital rotations so far. However, this means that like in ER medicine, you basically have to
have knowledge of every specialty and know how to lead various physicians effectively.
Overall, trauma surgeons and ER doctors are very similar in terms of the qualities they
require in order to practice. Dr. Danko emphasized patience and leadership under pressure.
While I would enjoy both specialties and I intend to interview physicians from both, I am leaning
towards trauma surgery for ISM.