Pediatric cardiac intensivists: are enough being trained?

Abstract

To determine both the number of cardiac intensivists being trained by member institutions of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society and the perceived need for these professionals. Web-based survey of pediatric cardiac intensive care unit program directors. A total of 54 directors completed the survey (41% response rate). Twelve pediatric cardiac critical care fellowship positions are offered each year among the responding Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society institutions in the United States and Canada-only six of the 12 positions were filled in the academic year 2002-2003. Cardiac intensivist recruitment was ongoing at 25 of the programs surveyed (46%). An additional 45 cardiac intensivists will be sought during the next 1-3 yrs and 36 during the subsequent 3- to 5-yr period. There is a discrepancy between the current and growing need for trained pediatric cardiac intensivists and the graduation rate of these professionals from teaching programs.