TY - JOUR
T1 - Report of the 2022 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Practice Survey
AU - Stephens, Elizabeth H.
AU - St. Louis, James D.
AU - Jaquiss, Robert D.B.
AU - Feins, Eric N.
AU - Kane, Lauren C.
AU - Guleserian, Kristine J.
AU - Si, Ming Sing M.
AU - Dabal, Robert J.
AU - Sharma, Mahesh S.
AU - Gangemi, James J.
AU - Kavarana, Minoo N.
AU - Kumar, S. Ram
AU - LaPar, Damien J.
AU - Fuller, Stephanie
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
PY - 2023/7
Y1 - 2023/7
N2 - Background: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on Congenital Surgery performed a practice survey to analyze contemporary data. Methods: An electronic survey was sent to congenital heart surgeons in North America. Details on demographics, training paradigm, clinical practice, and work satisfaction were queried, tabulated, and analyzed. Results: Of 312 unique contacts, 201 (64.4%) responded. Of these, 178 (89%) were practicing. The median age was 52 years (interquartile range, 43, 59 years), and 157 (88%) were male. The number of female respondents increased from 12 (7%) in 2015 to 18 (11%) at present. Practice composition was predominantly mixed pediatric and adult (141; 79%), although 15 (8%) surgeons practiced exclusively pediatric surgery. Most surgeons (154; 87%) reported performing the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery category 4 and 5 procedures. One-fourth (42; 24%) reported performing fewer than 50 pediatric cases per year, and 18 (10%) stated that their primary role was as a surgical assistant. Individual surgeon case volume was most commonly 100 to 149 total cases (29%). Although one-half (91; 51%) reported their volume as being “just right,” 74 (42%) reported that their case volume was “too small.” Seventy-six (43%) reported too many surgeons in their region. Of the 201 practicing surgeons, 30 (14.9%) plan retirement in the next 5 years. Most described career satisfaction, with 102 (57%) being very satisfied and 48 (27%) somewhat satisfied. Conclusions: Although most congenital heart surgeons in North America are satisfied with their careers, more than 40% believe that their caseload is inadequate and that there are too many surgeons in their region. Further analysis is warranted regarding career dissatisfaction and diversity.
AB - Background: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on Congenital Surgery performed a practice survey to analyze contemporary data. Methods: An electronic survey was sent to congenital heart surgeons in North America. Details on demographics, training paradigm, clinical practice, and work satisfaction were queried, tabulated, and analyzed. Results: Of 312 unique contacts, 201 (64.4%) responded. Of these, 178 (89%) were practicing. The median age was 52 years (interquartile range, 43, 59 years), and 157 (88%) were male. The number of female respondents increased from 12 (7%) in 2015 to 18 (11%) at present. Practice composition was predominantly mixed pediatric and adult (141; 79%), although 15 (8%) surgeons practiced exclusively pediatric surgery. Most surgeons (154; 87%) reported performing the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery category 4 and 5 procedures. One-fourth (42; 24%) reported performing fewer than 50 pediatric cases per year, and 18 (10%) stated that their primary role was as a surgical assistant. Individual surgeon case volume was most commonly 100 to 149 total cases (29%). Although one-half (91; 51%) reported their volume as being “just right,” 74 (42%) reported that their case volume was “too small.” Seventy-six (43%) reported too many surgeons in their region. Of the 201 practicing surgeons, 30 (14.9%) plan retirement in the next 5 years. Most described career satisfaction, with 102 (57%) being very satisfied and 48 (27%) somewhat satisfied. Conclusions: Although most congenital heart surgeons in North America are satisfied with their careers, more than 40% believe that their caseload is inadequate and that there are too many surgeons in their region. Further analysis is warranted regarding career dissatisfaction and diversity.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2022.12.044
DO - 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2022.12.044
M3 - Article
C2 - 36693581
AN - SCOPUS:85149948097
SN - 0003-4975
VL - 116
SP - 17
EP - 24
JO - Annals of Thoracic Surgery
JF - Annals of Thoracic Surgery
IS - 1
ER -