Open AccessPerceptions of Training Pathways from Recent Cardiothoracic Surgery Graduates
Author(s) -
Alison Ward,
Neel K. Ranganath,
Stacey Chen,
Tyler J. Wallen,
Amie Kent,
Deane E. Smith,
Zachary N. Kon
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the heart surgery forum/the heart surgery forum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.255
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1522-6662
pISSN - 1098-3511
DOI - 10.1532/hsf.3651
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiothoracic surgery , career pathways , residency training , family medicine , clinical pathway , surgery , nursing , medical education , continuing education
Background: There are three cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) training pathways—general surgery residency followed by a CTS residency of 2-3 years (traditional), 4 years of general surgery and 3 years of CTS residency (4+3), and an integrated 6-year pathway (I-6). The goal of this study was to survey early career cardiothoracic surgeons regarding their training experiences.Methods: An email-based survey was sent to cardiothoracic surgeons, who graduated between 2012-2017. Data on training pathway specific variables and overall satisfaction were collected. The primary endpoints were career preparation and satisfaction, scored on a scale from 1-100, 100 being the most positive.Results: Four hundred seventy-seven emails were sent, with a response rate of 95/477 (20%). Seventy-six of the respondents (80%) were male; the mean age was 39. Seventy-seven (81.0%) completed a traditional training pathway, 7 (7.4%) completed a 4+3 pathway, and 11 (11.6%) completed an I-6 pathway. Participants felt prepared for practice with a mean response of 79.8 (range 31-100); mean career satisfaction was 87.6. When asked which pathway respondents would choose in the current era, 52 (54.7%) would choose a traditional pathway, 17 (17.9%) a 4+3 pathway, and 19 (20.0%) an I-6 program; 7 (7.4%) did not respond. Twenty of 72 (27.8%) traditional pathway trained and 18/18(100%) integrated pathway trained surgeons would choose an integrated pathway.Conclusions: This is the first survey addressing perceptions of training from early-career cardiothoracic surgeons across all training pathways. Data from this study provides insights to better understand how to improve CTS training for the next generation of surgeons.