Emerging alternative model for cardiothoracic surgery training in India
Rajan Vaithianathan1, Senthil Panneerselvam
1Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India. rajanmsgen@hotmail.com
Insights
India
Area of Science:
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Training
- Medical Education Reform
Background:
- Current cardiothoracic (CT) surgery training in India follows a 3+3-year model.
- Two national boards, Medical Council of India (MCI) and National Board of Examinations (NBE), oversee postgraduate medical education.
- NBE has proposed an integrated 6-year CT surgery residency model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the existing cardiothoracic surgery training model in India.
- To discuss the implications of the proposed integrated 6-year residency program.
- To recommend changes for future CT surgery training in India.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the current 3+3-year general surgery and CT surgery residency structure.
- Review of the proposed integrated 6-year CT surgery residency model by NBE.
- Discussion of the need for reform in CT surgery training.
Main Results:
- The traditional 3+3-year model requires extensive general surgery training before CT surgery specialization.
- The proposed integrated model offers earlier specialization with greater CT surgery exposure.
- There is a need to adapt training to meet future demands for CT surgeons.
Conclusions:
- The current cardiothoracic surgery training model in India requires urgent reform by the MCI.
- An integrated training program is crucial for developing future cardiovascular specialists.
- Modifications to undergraduate programs are needed to foster early interest in CT surgery.
Background:
In India, cardiothoracic (CT) surgery training follows a 3+3-year model, where 3 years of general surgery residency with certification (MS/DNB) is required for entering 3 years of thoracic surgery residency (MCh/DNB). There are two certifying boards at the national level. One being the Medical Council of India (MCI), which oversees the major accreditation process involving the undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in India, and the other being the National Board of Examinations (NBE), which was formed for the purpose of establishing a uniform standard of postgraduate medical education. Recently, the latter body has come up with an alternative model for thoracic surgery residency in India. This model includes an integrated 6-year residency, with lesser emphasis on general surgical skills and greater exposure to CT surgery.
Conclusions:
Changes to the current model of training for CT surgery is the need of the hour and should be initiated very soon by the MCI to meet the future demand for CT surgeons in India. An integrated training program is essential to create a new generation of cardiovascular specialists. Future directions to achieve this goal must include modifications to the undergraduate programs so as to infuse interest for CT surgery in the young minds of medical students.
