If you want to relieve children's pain and reduce their suffering, studying pediatric surgery in Turkey may be a unique opportunity for you. Turkish universities rank among the best universities for teaching medical specializations, with reasonable tuition fees and conditions of comparison to studying human medicine and its appropriate branches, compared to other universities whose fees have become very high and the conditions for applying to them are very complex. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about studying pediatrics in Turkey, the available options and opportunities, enrollment conditions, tuition fees, and the best universities to study.
What is the specialty of pediatric surgery?
Pediatric surgery is a subspecialty of general surgery, a branch of basic medicine. It deals with children from infancy through the teenage years and focuses on the diagnostic, operative, and postoperative surgical care of children with congenital or acquired deformities and diseases, whether developmental, inflammatory, oncological, or traumatic. In some cases, the pediatric surgeon's involvement may extend into adulthood as the patient transitions to surgeons who specialize in adult surgery.
Pediatric surgery is more closely related to treatment than diagnosis. A pediatric surgeon develops the best treatment plan for the patient, conducts preoperative examinations and preparations, and monitors the patient's progress as part of postoperative care. He or she also works closely with the patient's guardians and/or parents, providing instructions and counseling, as well as referring the patient to support groups or other professionals who can conduct treatments to better deal with the child's illness.
Advantages of Studying Pediatric Surgery in Turkey
The educational and academic level in Turkey has seen great development in recent times, and the specialty of medicine has had its share of this development and distinction. The health and medical sector in Turkey has also seen tremendous development, making it one of the first countries people go to for medical tourism. Therefore, some of the most important advantages of studying pediatric surgery in Turkey are:
Turkish universities ranked twelfth in the world for teaching medical specializations
A group of professors and academics who are scientifically and theoretically qualified and have the highest level of experience and competence
Laboratories and laboratories equipped at the highest level, which include the latest technological devices and equipment
Opportunity to obtain strong training and practical experience in hospitals and medical centers affiliated with the university that are equipped with the latest technologies used in pediatric surgeries
Possibility of studying in English or Turkish
Reasonable tuition fees compared to universities in Europe and America
Reasonable living costs in Turkey
Certificates from Turkish universities are recognized in the Arab countries and in all countries of the world
Pediatric surgery graduates in Turkey can work in all countries of the world, as the medical specialty in Turkey enjoys a good international reputation, and many patients from all over the world come to Turkey for treatment
Job opportunities after graduation in research centers, hospitals, academic work in universities, and opportunities to establish private clinics
Turkish universities offer postgraduate programs for various medical specialties.
Duration of Studying Pediatric Surgery in Turkey
The study of pediatric surgery in Turkey begins after completing a six-year medical study at one of the medical schools in the country. After passing the TUS Specialization Exam, students can obtain the title of pediatric surgeon after completing five years of specialization.
International students with medical degrees from other countries can study pediatrics in Turkey after passing the STS Equivalency Exam and the TUS Specialty Exam, followed by training in the specialty.
This article will focus on studying the specialty of pediatric surgery in Turkey.
What is the STS Equivalency Exam?
The STS Test is the equivalence of a medical degree obtained from a non-Turkish university to become identical to a medical degree issued by Turkish universities. The test is held twice a year in February and August and consists of 120 questions in the clinical medicine departments. It is in the Turkish language, and in order to pass the exam and obtain an equivalence certificate, students must obtain 35 percent. The test relies on a system where every four wrong answers in the exam cancel out one correct answer, so it is better to leave answers that are not known during the exam.
The distribution of questions in the exam is as follows: 40 questions in medicine, 30 questions in pediatrics, 30 questions in general surgery, and 20 questions in obstetrics and gynecology.
What is medical specialty training in Türkiye?
For students who have obtained a medical degree from a university outside of Turkey and wish to pursue medical specialization in one of the Turkish universities, they must obtain compulsory training in a Turkish governmental university hospital after passing the STS exam. When applying, students choose three public universities to spend their training period in, and the Ministry then distributes them to one of these three hospitals. The training period ranges from six to nine months in the various departments of medicine (internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine, and emergency medicine).
What is the TUS exam?
The TUS exam is the Turkish medical specialty exam for foreign and Turkish physicians who wish to complete postgraduate studies in human medicine in Turkey. The Ministry of Higher Education in Ankara holds the TUS test twice a year, in April and September, and registration for the test is done by the student personally. The TUS exam includes questions on the topics of surgery, anatomy, biochemistry, and internal medicine. The TUS exam aims to determine the medical specialty in which the doctor excels through the total score obtained by the applicant. This means that the Turkish Ministry of Higher Education determines the appropriate medical specialization for the applicant, after which they can start the path of specialization in one of the medical specialties in Turkey. The lowest score for passing the exam is 45 out of a hundred, and the specialization in which they can continue their studies varies according to the degree and the university in which they will be distributed, whether it is in a large city or peripheral states. For example, the general surgery specialization requires a total score between 51 and 60, while the diagnostic radiology specialization requires a total score between 58 and 65.
The exam consists of two parts: the first part, Basic, which consists of 120 MCQs and has a duration of 150 minutes. The questions are distributed as follows: 14 questions in anatomy, 18 questions in physiology, histology, and embryology, 22 questions in pathological chemistry, 22 questions in microbiology, 22 questions in pathology and pathological anatomy, and 22 questions on pharmacology. The second part of the clinical exam consists of 120 MCQs and has a duration of 150 minutes. The questions are distributed as follows: 40 questions in medicine, 30 questions in pediatrics, 30 questions in general surgery, and 20 questions in obstetrics and gynecology. The weighting process takes place one month after the exam, and distribution takes place within a maximum of two months after the exam.
Courses specializing in pediatric surgery in Türkiye
Courses specializing in pediatric surgery in Türkiye vary depending on the university you will be studying at. Generally, the most important subjects that you will study include: General Pediatric Surgery, Anatomy, Developmental Physiology, Neonatal Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacokinetics in children and neonates, Biochemical and Metabolic Considerations related to Pediatric Surgery, Embryology, Evolution and Growth, Genetics, Neonatal Surgery, Causes and Treatment of Congenital Malformations, Specialized Investigative Procedures: Technique and Interpretation of Findings, Microscopic Appearances, Pediatric Systemic Surgery, Trauma in Children - including Burns, Malignant Neoplasms in Childhood, Clinical Epidemiology, Organizing the Intensive Care Unit and Referral and Transfer Services, and Biostatistics and Research Methodology. In addition to the intensive practical exercises and applications that the student receives in the university's hospitals and laboratories, these courses provide a comprehensive understanding of pediatric surgery.
Conditions for Studying Pediatric Surgery in Turkey
To study pediatric surgery in Turkey, a student must first have completed the study of human medicine at a Turkish university and obtained a Bachelor of Medicine. They must then pass the TUS specialty exam. For international students with a Bachelor's degree in medicine from a university outside of Turkey, they must first obtain equivalency for their certificate by passing the STS equivalency exam, followed by the TUS specialty exam. Additionally, some universities may require proficiency in the Turkish language or an introductory year of study to master it, due to the need to interact with patients when receiving training in the university's hospitals.
Most Prominent Turkish Universities to Study Pediatrics
The most prominent Turkish universities to study pediatrics are those that follow the European model since Turkey agreed to the terms of the Bologna Agreement in 2001 and became a member of the European Higher Education Organization. With around 90 medical universities, many of which offer programs in English as well as Turkish, here is a list of the most prominent universities that offer pediatric surgery programs:
Public Universities
Hacıtepe University:
Established in 1967, Hacıtepe University offers pediatric orthopedics and pediatric spine surgery in English. The Faculty of Medicine possesses the latest technologies used in surgery.
Gaziantep University:
One of the oldest universities in Turkey, Gaziantep University offers surgery in English and Turkish.
Private Universities
Founded in 1998, Bahçeşehir University is a private, non-profit university inaugurated by the Bahçeşehir Education Foundation. It is a member of the global education network, with more than 200 partner universities spread across 36 different countries. Pediatric surgery specialization is taught in English and Turkish.
Established in 1999 by the Okan Foundation for Culture, Education and Sports, Okan University offers pediatric surgery in Turkish or English. Passing the TOMER exam is required to complete studies at the college.
Koc University:
Founded in 1993 in Istanbul, Koc University is ranked 681 in the world and 9 in Turkey. Pediatric surgery is taught in English, but proficiency in the Turkish language is required by the fourth year of studying basic human medicine to work with patients.
Established in 2009 as a medical research university, Medipol University is home to more than 5,000 international students from around 120 different countries. Pediatric surgery is taught in English.
Founded in 2003 by the Anadolu Education and Culture Foundation (AKEV), Istanbul Aydin University seeks to serve society through education that offers world-class basic, applied and interdisciplinary research.
Established in 2009 as a vocational university, Nisantasi University was founded by the Nisantasi Education Foundation. It is one of the largest universities in Turkey and Europe, and has a huge classroom capacity.
For more information about the Turkish universities that offer pediatric surgery programs, and the discounts on tuition fees that you can get when applying through Turkish Campus, contact one of the Turkish Campus consultants.
Skills Needed for Pediatric Surgeons
Students who choose to study Pediatric Surgery must possess certain important skills in order to achieve academic success. These include precision and caution, attention to detail, full commitment and responsibility, and time management skills. Additionally, students must be able to demonstrate emotional resilience when caring for patients, listen patiently to their complaints, work under pressure, interact and communicate effectively with all age groups, work as a team, make decisions, and have a distinguished knowledge of scientific subjects such as Chemistry and Biology.
Fields of work for graduates of the specialty of pediatric surgery
Fields of work for graduates of the specialty of pediatric surgery offer a broad range of career prospects. You can choose to specialize in areas such as pediatric surgery, assistant pediatric surgery, perinatal surgery (a new concept in this field that deals with fetuses or unborn children), neonatal surgery, pediatric oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric orthopedic surgery, pediatric plastic surgery, pediatric urology, and injuries or injuries resulting from accidents or violence.
Pediatric surgery graduates can work in government and private hospitals, their own clinics, research institutions, and the Ministry of Health. If medicine is your passion, you have the opportunity to study pediatric surgery in Turkey. Turkish Campus provides educational consulting and services in Turkey, offering honest and professional information to help you from the beginning of your application until ensuring your university admission, arrival, and stability.
