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How to retrain the cardiothoracic surgeon
Grayson H Wheatley1, Edward B Diethrich
1Department of Cardiovascular and Endovascular Surgery, Arizona Heart Institute, 2632 N. 20th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006, USA.
Insights
Cardiothoracic surgery faces challenges from declining cases and reimbursement. Embracing new endovascular therapies requires retraining to ensure surgeons remain proficient in cardiovascular disease treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Endovascular Interventions
Background:
- The field of cardiothoracic surgery is experiencing significant disruption due to decreased case volumes and reimbursement.
- Practicing surgeons and graduating residents face employment challenges.
- Emerging endovascular techniques offer new treatment modalities for cardiovascular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical rise of cardiothoracic surgery.
- To analyze the current state of the specialty.
- To explore the potential of endovascular surgery and the challenges of retraining.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of factors influencing cardiothoracic surgery.
- Analysis of current trends and challenges.
- Examination of endovascular surgery's role and retraining obstacles.
Main Results:
- Cardiothoracic surgery's growth was driven by specific advancements.
- The specialty currently faces economic and volume-related pressures.
- Endovascular therapies present opportunities but necessitate significant skill adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Cardiothoracic surgeons must commit to retraining for catheter-based therapies.
- Adapting to endovascular techniques is crucial for future practice.
- Addressing retraining obstacles is key to maintaining surgical expertise.
Abstract:
It is both an exciting and challenging time for cardiothoracic surgeons. Declining case volumes and diminishing reimbursement are causing a major disruption in the way practicing cardiothoracic surgeons approach their specialty and graduating cardiothoracic surgery residents seek employment. However, new advances in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, such as endoluminal grafting for diseases of the thoracic aortic, are rapidly becoming available. It will take a significant commitment on behalf of busy practicing cardiothoracic surgeons to 'retrain' and develop the necessary skill-set to become proficient in catheter-based therapies and other emerging therapeutic modalities. We review the factors that contributed to the rise of cardiothoracic surgery as a specialty, the current state of the specialty and the potential that endovascular surgery offers cardiothoracic surgeons and examine the obstacles and solutions for retraining cardiothoracic surgeons.
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