[Matching training to practice: reworking the training paradigm.]

Due to the increasing complexity of surgical diseases and continuous technological advances, qualifications for general surgeons require an integral practice in order to obtain better results. General surgeons in practice must be capable of making the initial diagnosis and management of a diverse set of surgical conditions and prompt referral to a subspecialist when appropriate. Redesigning surgical training should take into account the needs of training future general surgeons while still preserving some training in the basic aspects of general surgery.