MSF general and orthopedic surgeons often work with emergency teams to treat people wounded in conflict zones. At other times, they join teams that are providing longer-term surgical care to communities without access to functioning health care systems.

Basic diagnostic equipment and facilities needed to run an operating room will be limited: there may not even be an X-ray machine.

MSF asks surgeons to depart on very short notice to meet the needs of emergencies that require their skills. But MSF does offer surgeons the option of shorter-than-usual assignments (generally lasting from 1 to 3 months or more).

Responsibilities include general surgery, surgical-needs assessment, and training of local staff.

What is it like in the field? Read these accounts:
	Surgeon Sherry Wren, MD Rutshuru, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo October 2008
	Orthopedic Surgeon Courtland Lewis, MD Mansehra, Pakistan January 2006
	Surgeon Mary Ann Hopkins, MD Democratic Republic of the Congo March 2005
	Surgeon Dr. Jean-Paul Dixmeras Port-au-Prince, Haiti February 2005
	Surgeon Bruce Frank, MD Ivory Coast February 2003

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