[Education general surgery: viewpoint of the candidate surgeon]

An opinion poll about the surgical training performed among the Flemish surgeons in training showed us rather critical results. 54 of 62 assistants consider the technical training capable of improvement, 48 of 62 surgeons in training believe their is a lack of possibilities for a sound theoretical education. To improve the present day needs the following changes are suggested: the reduction of the number of training centers, the raise of the operative (and supervised) activities and more possibilities for a good theoretical education, changes more achievable in case of reduction of the overload with nonoperative tasks. The surgeons in training should have their say in the reorganisation of the training in surgery.