In this episode, surgeons Dr. Abhishek Parmar and Dr. Corey Campbell ask the fundamental question – Is General Surgery Dead? If it’s not already, should it be? The surgeons dive into the realities of rural surgery, the importance of specialization, and Corey names the most overrated surgical instrument. Their candid discussion sheds light on modern surgical training, systemic challenges, and practical tips for aspiring surgeons.

Main Topics Covered:

• Challenges facing rural hospitals and outdated surgical protocols
• The specialization trend in modern surgery and its implications
• The dwindling scope of general surgery procedures
• The importance of discernment and mastery in surgical practice
• Overrated surgical instruments and myths in the OR
• Future of surgical training: should we rethink the pathway?

00:00 Introduction with Spruce

01:47 Rural surgery and specialization

09:14 General Surgery training and decision-making

22:24 OR culture and overrated instruments

29:44 Robotic vs. open surgery

30:09 Closing remarks with Spruce

Most surgeons underestimate the chaos behind the scenes of hospital call days—and what it takes to survive them. In this candid, hilarious episode, Dr. Abhishek Parmar and Dr. Corey Campbell dive into the real truth about surgical residency, night-shift horror stories, and the myth of being “ready” to operate. They talk about the origins of surgical residency, challenges of work hours, and if residents make everything worse.

In this episode, Dr. Abhishek Parmar and Dr. Corey Campbell explore the nuanced relationship between medical training, fitness culture, and the global spectacle of the World Cup. They also delve into how social media influences health perceptions and the gaps in medical education regarding wellness.

Most surgeons today are more proficient and outcome-driven than ever, but behind the scenes, burnout is quietly reshaping healthcare — and it’s affecting everyone, from the OR to the hospital corridors. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really happening in modern medicine, and whether our relentless push for efficiency is helping or harming the healers, this episode is a must-listen.

Two best friends and surgeons, Corey and Abhishek discuss various topics, including the nature of podcasts, the authenticity of medical representation in media, and the challenges of practicing medicine. The discussion touches on the importance of credentials, the complexity of modern medicine, and the personal connections they maintain with their patients. AI once again makes an appearance as Abhishek tries to be more interesting.

Surgeons Abhishek Parmar and Dr. Corey Campbell launch Dueling Scalpels, introduce their long friendship from medical school, and explain their goal of offering a more authentic perspective on healthcare and the surgeon mindset. 

Abhishek and Corey explore the contradictions of wealth, space exploration, and altruism. They discuss whether true altruism exists, critique Elon Musk's ventures, and examine how market valuations influence societal perceptions. The episode delves into the American Dream, wealth visibility, and the ethical responsibilities of the ultra-rich.