April 2004 - Defining the Specialties
This excerpt from the recent deposition of a doctor comes from
Richard E. Hanson of Wichita Falls (Oldham & Hanson).
Q. But when it comes to a surgeon, you’re kind of separate and distinct
from all the other medical specialties; that is, you actually go in and
perform surgical procedures on the human body; is that correct?
A. Well, it brings to my mind an old aphorism.
Internists, which is
kind of what, in part, you know, gastroenterology is, they know
everything but they don’t do anything. Now, surgeons aren’t supposed to
know anything, but they do it all. Now, pathologists know everything and
do everything, but it’s all too late.