EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 Issue 6 | Page 11

CO U R S E S & C A REERS In the demand job The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that from 2012 until 2022 there will be an 18 percent job growth for all surgeons – an increase in 123,000 extra jobs. Contributing factors include the growth of healthcare industries worldwide and an increasingly ageing population who wish to stay youthful. Every year, countries in the developing world, especially in Asia, are seeing a greater demand for plastic surgeons as their competitive prices are up to 80 percent lower than those in other countries. Additionally, these surgeons are renowned for being highly competent. Today, 15 million people worldwide have undergone plastic surgery to improve their looks. In South Korea alone, the world’s hub for aesthetic surgery, one in five Korean women have undergone some form of cosmetic surgery. In today’s modern society, plastic surgery is becoming increasingly common with thousands of people flocking to Asia to receive surgery every year. International medical tourism began to rise in popularity during the 1980s and is now a multibillion-dollar industry. The increase in demand for plastic surgery has in part been due to the constant societal pressure to remain youthful and beautiful. Furthermore, the growth in technology and rapidly evolving techniques can also help people recover from conditions that were once incurable. Southeast Asia is sometimes considered a medical tourism capital due to the vast numbers of people who have opted to receive medical work done here fueled by low prices and adequate standards. According to Forbes,Thailand is the country that receives the most medical tourists, followed by Hungary, India, Singapore and Malaysia. In recent years, apart from adult women, more and more men and youths are also turning to surgery. This obsessionwith beauty in Asia is seeing procedures like double eyelid surgery to enhance the appearance of the eyes and rhinoplasty (nose job) as being increasingly more common within the society. What will I be doing? A plastic surgeon primarily performs both invasive and elective surgical procedures to repair damage and restore ordinary function and appearance for patients affected by illness, trauma or genetic disorders or to improve parts of the patient’s body, creating their desired overall appearance. Other fundamental roles include the examination, assessment and diagnosis of patient deformities and the prescription of medications and treatment. The procedures you carry out will include using basic surgical techniques, tissue transfer, body contouring and laser surgery. Effective communication ensures that both patient and those close to them fully understand their situation and you are certain about their requirements. You may need to provide some moral support to patients and their families in certain circumstances as they may be struggling, anxious and distressed. They must be confident in your abili ѥ