Symposium on surgical manpower in the smaller community. The advantages and disadvantages of practising surgery in a small community.

The advantages of practice in a community encompassing a population of about 35 000 include readily available beds and operating rooms, a relative diversity of surgical problems, increased job satisfaction and solid community support through service clubs and other volunteer organizations. Disadvantages in some situations can include lack of investigational facilities and of internists for consultation. A lack of surgical assistants, anesthetists and intensive-care-unit support are other potential negative factors. The quest for continuing medical education requires definite resolve, and practice finesse must be well honed.