Technological advancements have transformed surgical care, but they have also escalated healthcare costs. The growing influence of insurance companies, TPAs, and corporate hospitals makes it vital for surgeons to play an active role in balancing costs while maintaining the highest standards of care.

While technology is an invaluable asset, it should complement—not replace—our foundational surgical skills. For instance, while stapler anastomosis is widely adopted, hand-sewn techniques remain effective and cost-efficient in many cases. Over-reliance on expensive tools not only increases patient expenses but also heightens the risks of diminishing our core surgical expertise.

Our identity as skilled surgeons lies in mastering anatomy, pathophysiology, radiology, and dissection while fostering strong patient communication. These skills ensure we remain adaptable and deliver superior patient outcomes, even as technology evolves.

Let us embrace technological advancements judiciously, using them to complement our expertise while avoiding unnecessary indications to use technology. Ultimately, patient satisfaction and safety should be the benchmarks of our success, not just technological sophistication.

Additionally, we must reclaim and strengthen the general surgeon’s role. Procedures once routinely performed by general surgeons, such as simple flaps, cystoscopy, and endoscopy, are increasingly being taken over by subspecialists. While subspecialization is essential for advanced procedures, a well-trained general surgeon can perform these basic procedures with matching effectiveness.

To this end, we aim to introduce one-year residential training programs in areas such as endoscopy, coloproctology, and breast surgery, at the centers of excellence. These programs will equip our colleagues with advanced skills while preserving the general surgeon’s versatility.

We also recognize the importance of communication skills in enhancing patient satisfaction and reducing litigations. ASI is committed to developing training programs to help surgeons master this critical aspect of their practice.