The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Thoracic Surgery Practice and Access Task Force: 2014 Workforce Report

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has intermittently surveyed its workforce, providing isolated accounts of the current state of thoracic surgical practice.

The 63-question survey instrument was received by 4,343 surgeon members of the STS, and responses were gathered between October 1 and November 5, 2014. The return rate was 29.1%.

The median age of the active United States thoracic surgeons is 54 years. Women comprise 6.9% of the responders, constituting 6.3% of adult cardiac, 6.1% of congenital heart, and 11.8% of general thoracic surgeons. The decision to pursue a career in thoracic surgery was made before or in medical school by 48.3% of surgeons. Most survey respondents had a mean of 8.7 years of residency training after medical school graduation. The cumulative average educational debt was $62,815. Overall career satisfaction was 43.5% (very or extremely satisfied). STS Database participation greatly increased (89.9%) compared with the 2009 survey. Operative volume over the past 12 months decreased for 26% of surgeons. Malpractice premiums over the past 5 years have averaged between $54,310 and $$57,281. Of those who responded, 43.8% plan to retire between the age of 66 and 70 years.

These data provide a current, detailed profile of the specialty. Ongoing challenges remain length of training and educational debt. Case volumes, scope of practice, malpractice costs, and career satisfaction have remained relatively constant. With contraction of the current resident pool and the workforce ages, significant cardiothoracic surgeon shortages may develop as the United States population expands.