Things to Consider While Negotiating Your Contract: A Report From The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on...

Contract negotiation is an essential component of seeking work as a physician and cardiothoracic surgeon, but surgical residents are rarely if ever provided formal training toward this end. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on Cardiothoracic Surgery Practice convened an expert panel of surgeons at all stages of career development to contribute lessons learned from their experiences in contract negotiation. Relevant literature was identified to support expert opinion and experience. Key points included that surgeons entering contract negotiation must know their worth and their options. Salary is only one of many issues that can be negotiated; surgeons (and administrators) must be willing to bargain toward mutually beneficial contract language. Finally, trainees and young surgeons may receive anecdotal advice about contract negotiation from mentors or senior partners, and all surgeons eventually learn by experience. This manuscript provides a fundamental understanding of contracts and contract negotiation as well as a more nuanced presentation of subtle items surgeons should consider when negotiating contracts.