Are you looking for a surgical career that is professionally challenging, filled with the unexpected, confronted by doors of opportunity, and offering tremendous job satisfaction? All of these characterize a life spent overseas as a missionary surgeon.

I arrived in India 28 years ago to work in the Bangalore Baptist hospital in the southern part of the country. The hospital had been opened recently and the patient load was growing. It was evident immediately that my definition of a general surgeon did not match the need. Armed with excellent surgical training and a few books, I was managing urology, orthopedics, thoracic surgery, and obstetrics-gynecology. Clinical skills were further sharpened in the absence of much technology. Over the years, as new equipment and procedures became available, there were further opportunities to develop professionally. 

The unexpected was an almost daily experience. In the overseas setting, the doctor assumes a myriad of responsibilities including administration, counseling, maintenance and construction supervision, fund raising, equipment mobilization, coordination of volunteers, community leadership, teacher, and innovator. My experience in India placed me in all of these roles, surely unexpected when I first arrived. 

The doors of opportunity are ever before you, sometimes opening and closing rapidly. There are opportunities to enhance surgical practice standards in your community or city. There are clinical research opportunities that will become evident. The wide variety of pathology seen gives opportunity for documentation and reporting. But greatest is the opportunity to invest yourself in people - patients, national colleagues, young professionals, and the community around you. 

All of this adds up to job satisfaction beyond measure. That desperately ill patient with no other source of help who goes home well; the young aspiring surgeon whom you train who then goes out and multiplies your effectiveness; the gratitude of that destitute young lady who becomes a nurse with your help - these are glimpses of people who make the hard work and sometimes difficult circumstances more than worthwhile. 

But all of these are secondary in comparison to the primary reason for choosing this career path. God's direction of your life into this work is the main motivation. Sharing your Christian faith is the main task. And seeing people made whole physically and spiritually is the greatest reward.  

Frequently Asked Questions                

How should I prepare?

Is it full time or part time?

Both options are available. Many mission hospitals around the world depend on long term, full time missionary physicians to sustain the work, administer the hospital, and invest in the Christian witness and development of the institution. Even as older hospitals are given over to national entities and staff, the missionary presence lends much needed stability and help. Medical missions in the past and present are filled with examples of those who have given their entire careers to this service.

There are also opportunities for volunteer short-term service for a period of weeks. Such volunteer surgeons in the mission hospital setting are so important for training missionary and national staff, for fellowship and encouragement, and for future support in money, equipment and prayer. Some doctors with like commitment to short-term mission service may form a practice group together and then insure coverage and support as each one in turn goes overseas.  

Where should I go?

Opportunities in mission medicine exist in almost all areas of the world. Needs are most pressing in the developing countries in Africa, Asia, and even Latin America.  

Are there sending agencies?

Many religious denominations have overseas mission boards with medical work. Through your church, information for contact would be available.

In addition, there are many mission societies or agencies that operate hospitals overseas or have the ability to place doctors in overseas mission hospitals. This can be researched thoroughly on the Internet. A few contacts are as follows:

• Africa Inland Mission, PO Box 178, Pearl River, NY 10965
• SIM USA, PO Box 7900, Charlotte NC 28241-7900
• World Medical Mission, Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607
• Christian Medical and Dental Associations, PO Box 7500, Bristol, TN 37621

How will I be supported?

Most mission agencies or societies provide a network of prayer support but not financial support for the missionary. Therefore the missionary is responsible to generate his support from churches and individuals that can be sustained for the period of service overseas. A few agencies do provide subsistence salary and benefits such as insurance and retirement programs for missionary personnel.  

Is there any specific preparation required?

It is important that you participate in a busy surgical training program that gives a broad base of experience. The surgical challenges faced in the isolated place with little equipment can be better handled by someone with this background. Board certification may only be required in some countries for visa or work permit or for teaching jobs. However, it is easiest to obtain immediately following the residency and therefore it is wise to complete board certification exams before going overseas.

Any prior cross-cultural experience will help the missionary to be more comfortable in the new culture and environment. Reading books and articles about communication and work in other cultures is also helpful. Once the country for work has been identified, the reading can become focused on the geography, people and culture of that place.

Language acquisition will be essential and should be initiated before the missionary begins clinical work. In some instances it may be possible to start the study before going. 

What will I do there?

First and foremost, you will be a surgeon involved in the care of patients. Very often the mission hospital is the only facility in a large area. Even if there are others, the mission hospital usually offers the most competent and caring service. Therefore the complexity of some problems will be great along with the more routine surgical work.

Teaching may be a part of the responsibility. There may be national surgeons, often young and inexperienced, whom you will further train and mentor. Some mission hospitals have formal residency training in surgery or have students and interns rotating through the hospital. Your effectiveness will be multiplied as you train others.

In some places there may be medical schools, either government or private, where qualified persons would be welcomed as faculty. Such a position would open many doors in the professional community as well as with students.

Inevitably anyone in missionary medicine will need to do things other than his specialty. In small hospitals with limited staff, the missionary surgeon may cover other specialties. The surgical subspecialties may be included in your practice. Administrative responsibilities and assignments may also be given.  

What are the difficulties in this career?

There are some difficulties which are inherent in a medical missionary career. These will vary from place to place, and even from time to time. A few of these are listed below in no particular order of priority.

• Communication: Even with language facility, communication cross culturally is an ongoing learning experience that will last a lifetime.
   
• Continuing medical education: In a remote place with a very heavy work schedule, this can be hard. It is possible online and by correspondence. The Christian Medical and Dental Associations offer excellent meetings annually either in Africa or Asia.
   
• Government restrictions: Obtaining medical licensing in the country may be difficult. Strong nationalistic attitudes affect this. In some places there are examinations in the local language that must be passed. Some even require an internship to be done in the country. The missionary should be aware of the requirements before going.
   
• Limited equipment and supplies and infrastructure: The real challenge is to adapt and adjust without ever compromising standards of your care.
   
• Funding: The missionary will probably be required to raise money for his own support and/or for the support of the hospital.

Summary

No matter where or how or in what difficulties, the career in missionary surgery can be the most rewarding one and fulfilling one for you if God places you there.