General surgeons are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis, preoperative care, surgical procedure and postoperative care of the patient. There are many areas of medical science that the surgeon needs an extensive knowledge of, including general anatomy, emergency care, immunology, intensive care, metabolism, pathology, physiology, shock and wound healing.

There are many subspecialties in the field of surgery, including cardiothoracic, colon and rectal, general, gynecologic oncology, gynecological and obstetric, neurological, ophthalmic, oral and maxillofacial, orthopedic, otorhinolaryngological, pediatric, plastic, urological and vascular.