Thoracic training across Europe: the trainees' perspective.

Abstract

Training in general thoracic surgery is facing several challenges. There are considerable variations between thoracic surgical training programmes internationally. Some are trained as cardiothoracic surgeons, some monospecialist thoracic surgeons, specialist thoracic and vascular surgeons, while others train as general surgeons with thoracic practice. Training must encompass the evolving treatment strategies, changing guidelines and new technology. Teaching new technology may be challenging when the teacher himself has not been trained for it. There also remains debate around the most effective training methods in a time-pressured environment [1, 2]. Despite the differences, the uniting factor for trainees is often the desire for the best possible training. At the macro-economical level, striving towards a global harmonization of training should facilitate international mobility of specialists. The European Board of Thoracic Surgery offers the possibility for certification by peers, signifying that the individual meets the requirements for independent practice at a high quality level. The European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) considers its educational platform as a priority project. In May 2014, the Learning Affairs Committee of the ESTS conducted a trainees’ survey. The purpose for ESTS was to identify topics, which are insufficiently covered by existing training programmes in order to tailor its educational activities. All ESTS trainee members were invited to participate. DEMOGRAPHICS The survey was completed by 48 trainees (18.4% response rate) from 21 countries. The majority were European trainees (n= 43). Others were from Canada (n= 1), India (n= 1), Mexico (n= 1) and the USA (n= 2). Most were training in general thoracic surgery as a monospeciality (n= 24, 50%), 17 (35%) as cardiothoracic surgeons, 6 (13%) as thoracic and general surgeons, 0 as thoracic and vascular surgeons and 1 (2%) was training in another speciality but with thoracic experience. Respondents had primarily been training in thoracic surgery for 65 h. 90% of trainees responded to say they worked more than seven night shifts per month and 65% work more than seven on-call shifts per month. However, 8% of respondents answered to say that they worked >16 on-call shifts every month, and 6% of these were on call for >21 shifts per month. With this in mind, the survey also enquired as to the marital status of trainees. Twenty (42%) were single, 18 (38%) married and 9 (19%) cohabiting. No trainee was divorced.