Predictors of Career Choice Among Cardiothoracic Surgery Trainees

What Got You Here Won’t Keep You There: Differences Between Cardiac- and Thoracic-Oriented Applicants

“…Unfortunately, we did not perform any studies using the original DeVega technique in which the suture spans from anteroseptal to posteroseptal commissure, leaving out the entire septal annulus [3]. Considering our previous experimental studies, we believe that the septal annulus also enlarges in pathologic states [4], thus supporting, at least partially, the idea that the septal annulus is important for achieving optimal long-term outcomes if this technique is to be used clinically.…”

“…The results from the only trial on noncardiac thoracic surgery were surprising, with sensitivity/specificity of only 21%/95%-which is lower than in nonsurgical trials [2]. The reason for this result could be specific postsurgical conditions or inappropriate sonographic methodology [3]. We therefore read the article by Patella and colleagues [4] with great interest, presenting the second trial on this topic and reporting different results.…”

“…Trainees interested in adult or congenital cardiac surgery were most likely to make their career choice before or during medical school, whereas trainees interested in general thoracic surgery were more likely to make their career choice during general surgery (GS) training. In addition, mentorship was the primary influencing factor for thoracic-oriented individuals, whereas the anatomy and nature of cases had the most influence on cardiac-oriented individuals [3].…”

“…It is clear that what takes one to get interested in cardiothoracic surgery is not the same as what it takes to keep one interested. Furthermore, previous surveys by the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association have shown that these factors differ significantly between cardiac-oriented and general thoracic-oriented individuals [2][3][4][5]. Trainees interested in adult or congenital cardiac surgery were most likely to make their career choice before or during medical school, whereas trainees interested in general thoracic surgery were more likely to make their career choice during general surgery (GS) training.…”

“…This is where the 147 unmatched I-6 applicants probably fit in, given their predominant cardiac focus. On the other hand, GS residents who were not initially interested in cardiothoracic surgery frequently develop interest in general thoracic surgery as they advance in GS training, likely because of proper mentorship on thoracic surgery rotations [3] and possibly as the extension of their newfound interest in surgical oncology.…”