A Surgeon's Lifetime

David Watkin's A Surgeon's Lifetime details his journey through medical training and the evolution of surgery, emphasizing mentorship's role.

In A Surgeon's Lifetime, David Watkin reflects on his journey from a novice medical student to a seasoned consultant surgeon. Trained in the 1960s under the adage 'See one, do one, teach one', he experienced a hands-on approach to learning that was characteristic of the era. This method, while effective in many ways, left him with little supervision during his formative years. As he progressed in his career, Watkin became determined to enhance the training experience for future surgeons, ultimately leading him to chair the national committee responsible for general surgery training.

Coming from a non-medical background, Watkin’s decision to pursue medicine was made later in his education. He trained across various cities, including Bristol, Leicester, Derby, and Sheffield, before becoming a consultant in Leicester. His dedication and passion for teaching were recognized when he was appointed the inaugural clinical sub-dean, where he was tasked with establishing clinical teaching at the new Medical School.

As surgical practices evolved with advancements in technology and specialization, Watkin adapted to these changes. He embraced the broad scope of general surgery while becoming a coloproctologist by day and a generalist by night. His involvement with the Association of Surgeons and ultimately serving as its president in 2000-2001 highlights his commitment to the field and the impact he made on surgical training throughout his career. A Surgeon's Lifetime is a testament to the evolution of surgery and the importance of mentorship in medicine.