The added value of Internal General Medicine within a surgical department

The hyperspecialization of surgical departments along with the shortage of anaesthetists and the high rate of co-morbidities among patients undergoing surgery mean that care requires skills which complement those of the department's specialty.

Thanks to cross-disciplinary medical practice, the multi-skilled doctor diagnoses and treats intercurrent pathologies that may hinder or delay the surgical procedure, and ensures follow-up and continuity of care for these patients, who are at risk because of their polypathologies, in addition to the surgery itself, without disrupting the continuity of care.

He ou she does this in consultation with the various medical professionals involved with the surgical patient, calling on all the specialists needed in order to optimize pre- and post-operative care.
His or her presence ensures that intensive care anesthetists are more available for the operating theatres and perioperative care, and can contribute to the creation and optimization of preoperative consultations in day hospitals for frail patients, in consultation with the surgeon.
Their presence within a surgical department allows the creation of service protocols, supervision and significant availability to paramedical staff.