Transplant surgeons in training: is anybody out there?

There is a long-standing recognition that there is an organ donor shortage in the United Kingdom and Ireland (UK&E) that limits transplant activity. However, the fact that, at present, there are several unfilled consultant vacancies would suggest that a shortage of trained surgeons may soon be an equally important limiting factor. The aim of this current study was to identify all transplant trainees in the UK&E and to determine their career aspirations. A list of all trainees intending to practice as transplant surgeons was compiled. A combination of postal questionnaire and telephone interview was used to construct a database on past and present training in transplantation, and preferred type of consultancy was assessed both by direct questioning and by using a visual analogue scale to grade desirability of various posts. Of 110 potential trainees identified, 50 (45%) replied and indicated a desire to pursue a career in transplant surgery. Thirty-one intended practising in the UK&E (19 UK&E graduates and 12 overseas). The preferred consultancy (27/31) was transplantation (Tx) together with a second specialty while only four wanted a multivisceral practice. The mean score (0-10) for desirability of a multivisceral transplant post was 4.7, for renal transplant and vascular access it was 3.6 and for transplantation and a second specialty it was 8.4. We conclude that the majority of trainees do not wish to apply for pure transplant posts, either single organ or multivisceral, and that the majority wish to practice transplantation with a second specialty. In addition, there is still a major shortage of trainees and further studies are required to identify reasons why trainees fail to pursue a career in transplantation.