Knowledge Is Power, Experience Is Key

Abstract

The only source of knowledge is experience.

(Albert Einstein)

Senior plastic surgery trainees presenting for the final fellowship examination have probably more knowledge about the scope and theory of plastic and reconstructive surgery than at any other stage of their surgical careers. They may be limited in their knowledge of aesthetic surgery and some other subspecialties of the discipline but what they really lack is experience, i.e., the experience of thinking, planning and operating at a consultant level of competence. This is inevitable given that the previous 4–5 years have largely been a professional working life as a junior team member, with a supervising consultant or mentor above them. The final professional exams are predominantly about demonstrating through a series of confrontational interactions with experienced surgeon examiners that they are ready to make the step up to be a junior consultant. Dr. Sean Hamilton FRACS a former senior examiner for the Court of Examiners (RACS) used to emphasise that from his perspective ‘If the situation presented it, could this candidate he was examining be capable of taking over his practice for the next six weeks if he was temporarily out of action through illness, absence or other unexpected circumstance.’ In other words, could the candidate step into his shoes.