Surgical education in the United States historically was influenced by the
German educational system. Currently residents spend five years to become g
eneral surgeons. Education focuses on the teaching of surgical basic scienc
es and practical instruction in the operating room and at the bedside. Stud
ents interested in General Surgery are selected largely based on their perf
ormance in medical school. Admission into first-rate programs is highly com
petitive. In many university-based programs residents are expected to spend
an additional two years in research as part of their training. While on th
eir clinical rotations residents usually spend 80 to 100 hours per week in
the hospital. Resident salaries are moderate.