The Future of the Academic Cardiothoracic Surgeon: Results of the TSRA/TSDA In-Training Examination Survey

Shah, Asad Ali; Robich, Michael P.; Walters, Dustin M.; DeNino, Walter F.; Aftab, Muhammad; Tchantchaleishvili, Vakhtang; Eilers, Amanda L.; Rice, Robert D.; Goldstone, Andrew B.; Shelstad, Ryan C.; Malas, Tarek; Cevasco, Marisa; Gillaspie, Erin A.; LaPar, Damien J.

doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.01.106

Cited by 20 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Most cardiothoracic surgery residents (76% according to a recent survey) plan to conduct research as a part of their career pathway in cardiothoracic surgery. 1 Importantly, that same study demonstrated that previous participation in clinical research during residency, as well as a desire for an academic practice environment, were significant predictors of a career involving research production. Surveys from academic surgical programs have shown that those graduates who requested research time during their residency training are significantly more likely to hold academic positions after completion of residency.…”

Section: Early Mentored Research Environment Is Criticalmentioning

confidence: 86%

Establishing an academic niche in cardiothoracic surgery: The earlier the better

Coyan

Emerel

Sciortino

2019

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

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Academic cardiothoracic surgery has undergone a significant transformation over the last several decades. Although clinical demands and administrative responsibilities have increased to care for an ailing and elder patient population, the surgeon workforce continues to decline. Research funding has also progressively become more difficult to secure, whereas the research techniques have become more complex and expensive to perform. These constraints have limited the available bandwidth for surgeons to contribute to new discovery and innovation.Despite these challenges, cardiothoracic surgeons can and should still occupy a unique position at the forefront of clinical and scientific discovery. The academic cardiothoracic surgeon of the future will indeed look very different from those of our predecessors and mentors. A critical part of this transition and transformation will be acquiring the experience and training necessary to conduct innovative discovery within our field, given the modern research environment. This process requires a significant time commitment above and beyond the surgeon's clinical practice. Because of the nature of multidisciplinary teams and broad knowledge base required for scientific discovery, a well-protected opportunity to invest in research opportunities in the very early stages of surgeon development is necessary to achieve academic success. We believe developing a research niche as early as possible is a key stepping stone to building a successful career in academic cardiothoracic surgery today. EARLY MENTORED RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT IS CRITICALMost cardiothoracic surgery residents (76% according to a recent survey) plan to conduct research as a part of their career pathway in cardiothoracic surgery. 1 Importantly, that same study demonstrated that previous participation in clinical research during residency, as well as a desire for an academic practice environment, were significant predictors of a career involving research production. Surveys from academic surgical programs have shown that those graduates who requested research time during their residency training are significantly more likely to hold academic positions after completion of residency. 2 Despite this enthusiasm among residents, the skills and experiences required to transition from simply participating in a research project to becoming a primary investigator require an environment built around developing clinician-scientists with mentors who are experienced in this process. The mentored research environment for early cardiothoracic surgery trainees should involve a program that takes responsibility for guiding residents through the progression of developing an idea into a completed research project, including appropriate deliverables (manuscripts, grants, patents, and presentations as applicable). Dedicated mentored research programs have been shown in other specialties to improve both production quantity and quality in trainee research. 3 Encouraging collaboration among trainees involved in research also leads to importan...

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Section: Early Mentored Research Environment Is Criticalmentioning

confidence: 86%

Establishing an academic niche in cardiothoracic surgery: The earlier the better

Coyan

Emerel

Sciortino

2019

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

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“…6 Results showed sex differences in mentor qualities sought; men reported mentors were more impactful in teaching technical skills and clinical ability, whereas women valued mentors as role models who assist with networking. 6 However, women in CT surgery, in particular, feel there is a lack of exposure to same-sex mentors at their own institution. Social media could be used to enhance same-sex mentorship across institutions.…”

Section: Mentorship Researchmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In total, 91% of residents agreed that mentorship is critical to success, but many found that the characteristics they sought in a mentor changed during training. 6,7 Residents reported that mentorship was lacking in the areas of work-life balance, job assistance, and career advice. 6 Results showed sex differences in mentor qualities sought; men reported mentors were more impactful in teaching technical skills and clinical ability, whereas women valued mentors as role models who assist with networking.…”

Section: Mentorship Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6,7 Residents reported that mentorship was lacking in the areas of work-life balance, job assistance, and career advice. 6 Results showed sex differences in mentor qualities sought; men reported mentors were more impactful in teaching technical skills and clinical ability, whereas women valued mentors as role models who assist with networking. 6 However, women in CT surgery, in particular, feel there is a lack of exposure to same-sex mentors at their own institution.…”

Section: Mentorship Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Educational research and training innovation in cardiothoracic surgery: A year in review

Hunt

Zhou

Lui

et al. 2019

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

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, it has been an exciting year for the field. However, this volume of research renders it difficult to keep abreast with the latest innovations in education. This year alone in CT surgery, there were 35 education-focused abstracts, 24 sessions oriented toward emerging technology, and more than 180 sessions devoted to surgical skills and simulations. Many studies explored the role of technology-based tools in augmenting CT surgery training. These were applied to the field broadly, within subspecialties, and at all levels of medical training from medical student to senior attending. Research also grappled with how to best enhance recruitment of students into CT surgery. It is these advances in education that will prove vital to the future of CT surgery education. Reflecting on the extensive scholarly work published and presented at the major CT surgical conferences, the aim of this paper is to explore the education highlights of the 2017 to 2018 academic year and provide commentary on where the field may be headed. EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH ACROSS THE FIELD OF CT SURGERY Structure of the Field Many researchers over the course of the year investigate how the field of CT surgery is changing and how trainees in particular are responding. The presence of physician extenders within CT surgery has increased in recent years. A national survey assessing opinions of physician extender involvement showed that overall impression is favorable but that their role can occasionally impede resident education, especially in regard to patient management on the ward. 1 In regard to training structure, residents appear to prefer traditional programs to the integrated 6-year (I-6) program. The most common reasons given for not applying to the I-6 program were lack of commitment to CT surgery as a medical student and uncertainty of adequacy of I-6 training-from the belief that general surgery training is more well-rounded. 2 For general thoracic surgery, the 4/3 and traditional programs were the preferred and more common route compared with the I-6 residents, who nearly all were set on a cardiac career (adult or congenital). 2,3 I-6 programs also increase concern about decreased general surgery operative volume, which emphasizes the need for cooperation and communication between integrated and categorical program directors to ensure adequate training for all residents. 4 Understanding the advantages and challenges of the various educational paradigms, programs continue to modify and improve their curriculum to better address the perceived needs of the specialty and those of the trainees. Support for Residents' Transition to Training and to Practice Research this year focused on understanding how to better support CT surgery residents. Throughout the conferences this year, many sessions were oriented toward

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“…Future CT surgeons should have a clear understanding of job search and interviewing timelines, contract content and negotiation, as well as the local, national, and online resources available for career development. In an effort to consolidate existing career-related content, Tables 2 and 3 summarize current conferenceassociated and online resources. A recent study by Stephens and colleagues 24 found that CT residents ranked career path counseling, assistance with interviews, and networking as 3 of the top 4 characteristics sought out in mentors. In our study, participants listed mentorship at their future workplace as the number 1 factor affecting their first job selection.…”

Section: Job Search Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initial report on young cardiothoracic surgeons' first job: From searching to securing and the gaps in between

Sterbling

Molena

Rao

et al. 2019

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

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Objective: Recent industry studies have projected a deficit in cardiothoracic surgeons by 2030. Little is known about the difficulties of the job search process after cardiothoracic training. The purpose of this study is to explore the current practices of the first job hunt and contract negotiation for young cardiothoracic surgeons, and to identify the gaps in resources available to applicants.Methods: In October 2017, a 56-question survey was e-mailed to recent (2013-2017) board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons in the United States inquiring about their experience securing their first cardiothoracic job. The survey was administered via REDCap, and responses were accepted over 3 months.Results: The response rate was 12.8% (61/475). The majority of cardiothoracic program graduates (86.9%) interviewed for jobs between October and March of their final cardiothoracic training year, and 79.7% of contracts were signed before completing training. Sixty-four percent of respondents negotiated their first contract. The most influential factor in job selection was partner mentorship. Average starting pretax salary for respondents was $375,588 (AE$107,265). More than half of respondents reported needing more resources and support for the identification (59%) and comparison (54.1%) of job opportunities, contract negotiation (70.5%), and salary guidelines navigation (77%). Conclusions:Little guidance exists to support the search and securing of young cardiothoracic surgeons' first employment. Resources, whether institutional or organizational, are sparse and difficult to tailor to individual needs. Given the potential ramification of early career decisions, focused support is needed to remediate the lack of preparation available to the newest generations of cardiothoracic surgeons. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg

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The Future of the Academic Cardiothoracic Surgeon: Results of the TSRA/TSDA In-Training Examination Survey

Abstract: The majority of residents plan on pursuing research during their careers. Previous research experience appears to be a key determinant as well as specialty interest.

Cited by 20 publications

References 20 publications

Establishing an academic niche in cardiothoracic surgery: The earlier the better

Establishing an academic niche in cardiothoracic surgery: The earlier the better

Educational research and training innovation in cardiothoracic surgery: A year in review

Initial report on young cardiothoracic surgeons' first job: From searching to securing and the gaps in between

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