European guidelines on structure and qualification of general thoracic surgery

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Surgical Education
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• General Thoracic Surgery (GTS) practice varies significantly across Europe.
• A need exists for standardized structural and qualification criteria for GTS units.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update and provide recommendations for the structural characteristics of European General Thoracic Surgery (GTS) units.
• To harmonize GTS practice throughout Europe.

Main Methods:

• A dedicated task force was established to define structural, procedural, and qualification criteria for GTS units.
• Endorsement and validation were obtained from key European surgical societies and boards.

Main Results:

• Developed comprehensive criteria covering GTS unit definition, scope, structure, and qualifications.
• Established recommendations for training, education, and specialized areas including lung transplantation, esophageal surgery, minimally invasive thoracic surgery, and quality surveillance.

Conclusions:

• This document serves as a foundational step for revising modern thoracic surgeon curricula.
• The proposed structural criteria aim to overcome cultural and language barriers and standardize diverse national training programs.