Interprofessional education in cardiothoracic surgery: a narrative review

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Healthcare Collaboration

Background:

• Interprofessional education (IPE) is crucial for enhancing collaborative practice and patient outcomes.
• Its application in cardiothoracic surgery is gaining traction.
• This review examines the current landscape of IPE in this specialty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of interprofessional education in cardiothoracic surgery.
• To identify key interventions, outcomes, and challenges.
• To propose future directions for IPE in this field.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of English-language articles published after 2000.
• Literature search conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases.
• Qualitative synthesis of identified themes.

Main Results:

• IPE integration in cardiothoracic surgery programs varies globally, often emphasizing teamwork and communication.
• Simulation-based training is a prominent method, improving team performance, crisis management, and patient safety.
• Significant challenges include professional hierarchies, stereotypes, and logistical issues.

Conclusions:

• IPE in cardiothoracic surgery holds significant potential for improving patient care quality.
• Successful implementation requires addressing individual, organizational, and systemic factors.
• Future efforts should focus on curricular integration, faculty development, leadership, and robust evaluation.