The generation gap in modern surgery: a new era in general surgery.

General surgery remains one of the most respected residencies available to medical students today. At the same time, the number of medical school graduates applying for general surgery residencies continues to decline. Despite this decline, we still search for those individuals exhibiting qualities shared by general surgeons who excel. Although the field of general surgery is constantly evolving, these qualities remain the same. While intellect and good technical skills are essential, they alone do not ensure success as a surgery resident. Confidence, stamina, tenacity, and patience are imperative. Good leadership, motivational, and decision-making skills are also vital characteristics. Finally, the importance of dedication to patient care cannot be overstated. Because disease, injury, and pain are not scheduled events, general surgery residents regularly spend long hours, day and night, caring for and worrying about their patients. To ensure that we continue to add a sufficient number of general surgery residents each year without lowering our standards, those of us in general surgery must attempt to determine why fewer medical school graduates are applying for general surgery residencies. Then we must find ways in which we can improve the residency programs and, probably more important, emphasize to students the things about this field that led us to devote our lives to its practice.