[Role of the A2 hospital in general surgery training in Switzerland]

A full training in general surgery is difficult to achieve and involves an important professional commitment. In Switzerland, surgical theoretical and operative knowledge is mainly acquired in University Hospitals (A1 hospitals). A2 hospitals (smaller teaching hospitals) can be the best complement for this training. In these departments, general surgeons have a broad field of activity, including gastrointestinal, chest, vascular, outpatient surgery, conservative treatment and internal fixation of fractures and, sometimes, surgical endoscopy. Operative activity is intense. These departments thus allow privileged teaching positions for surgical residents and chief residents.