Alexander P Nissen1, Julian A Smith2, Jan Dieter Schmitto3, Silvia Mariani3, Rui M S Almeida4, Jonathan Afoke5, Tohru Asai6, Jessica G Y Luc7, Oz M Shapira8, Ari Mennander9, Akiko Tanaka10, Vasily I Kaleda11, Song Wan12, Alexander Wick13, Hermann Reichenspurner14, Benjamin M Cohn15, Tom C Nguyen16. 1. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Tex; Department of Surgery, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Tex. 2. Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia. 3. Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. 4. Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil. 5. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom. 6. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan. 7. Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 8. Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. 9. Tampere University Heart Hospital and Tampere University, Tampere, Finland. 10. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Tex; Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute, Houston, Tex. 11. Department of Cardiac Surgery, Central Clinical Hospital of the President Administration, Moscow, Russia. 12. Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China. 13. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany. 14. Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. 15. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Tex. 16. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Tex; Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute, Houston, Tex. Electronic address: tom.c.nguyen@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Various methods for cardiothoracic, cardiovascular, and cardiac surgical training exist across the globe, with the common goal of producing safe, independent surgeons. A comparative analysis of international training paradigms has not been undertaken, and our goal in doing so was to offer insights into how to best prepare future trainees and ensure the health of our specialty. METHODS: We performed a comparative analysis of available publications offering detailed descriptions of various cardiothoracic, cardiovascular, and cardiac surgical training paradigms. Corresponding authors from previous publications and other international collaborators were also reached directly for further data acquisition. RESULTS: We report various approaches to common challenges surrounding (1) selection of trainees and plans for the future surgical workforce; (2) trainee assessments and certification of competency before independent practice; and (3) challenges related to a changing practice landscape. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiothoracic surgery remains a dynamic and rewarding specialty. Current and future trainees face several challenges that transcend national borders. To foster collaboration and adoption of best practices, we highlight international strengths and weaknesses of various nations in terms of workforce selection, trainee operative experience and assessment, board certification, and preparation for future changes anticipated in cardiothoracic surgery.
OBJECTIVE: Various methods for cardiothoracic, cardiovascular, and cardiac surgical training exist across the globe, with the common goal of producing safe, independent surgeons. A comparative analysis of international training paradigms has not been undertaken, and our goal in doing so was to offer insights into how to best prepare future trainees and ensure the health of our specialty. METHODS: We performed a comparative analysis of available publications offering detailed descriptions of various cardiothoracic, cardiovascular, and cardiac surgical training paradigms. Corresponding authors from previous publications and other international collaborators were also reached directly for further data acquisition. RESULTS: We report various approaches to common challenges surrounding (1) selection of trainees and plans for the future surgical workforce; (2) trainee assessments and certification of competency before independent practice; and (3) challenges related to a changing practice landscape. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiothoracic surgery remains a dynamic and rewarding specialty. Current and future trainees face several challenges that transcend national borders. To foster collaboration and adoption of best practices, we highlight international strengths and weaknesses of various nations in terms of workforce selection, trainee operative experience and assessment, board certification, and preparation for future changes anticipated in cardiothoracic surgery.
Authors: Stephanie Fuller; Ara Vaporciyan; Joseph A Dearani; John M Stulak; Jennifer C Romano Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 2020-06-01 Impact factor: 4.330