Understanding our thoracic surgery workforce: Who, what, and where we practice
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: The makeup of the thoracic surgical workforce can influence policy, training, and certification, but it is not well defined. Using data from the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, this study explored practice-based demographics concerning geography, gender, age, subspecialty, and university affiliation. Methods: American Board of Thoracic Surgery Diplomates taking the 10-year Maintenance of Certification examination opted for the cardiac, general thoracic, cardiothoracic, or congenital modular exam. Using module selection as a surrogate for the examinee's predominant clinical practice, we explored the relationship regarding type of practice, geography (metropolitan vs other), gender, age, and university affiliation. Results: .04). Most surgeons practiced in metropolitan areas (80%), particularly congenital surgeons (96%). Surgeons practicing in university (47%) and nonuniversity settings (53%) were nearly evenly distributed. Conclusions: Thoracic surgery is increasingly subspecializing, with younger surgeons choosing cardiac, general thoracic, or congenital surgery modular Maintenance of Certification exams. The percentage of female Diplomates remains low. Maintenance of Certification exam-eligible diplomates constitute a predominantly older workforce with noticeable urbanization. Understanding our workforce provides important insight for American Board of Thoracic Surgery certification, the development of training paradigms, and anticipating workforce needs.
Source: JTCVS Open
Authors: Jacob Daniel, Malcolm DeCamp, Jennifer Romano, Betty Tong, Michael Moulton, John Mitchell, Carl Backer, Joseph Cleveland, David T. Cooke, Raphael Kella, Joseph Coselli, Jessica Donington, Stephanie Fuller, Adil Husain, Chris Malaisrie, Sandra Starnes, John Stulak, Cameron Wright, Michael Mack, Tom C. Nguyen
Institutions: University of Wisconsin–Madison, UW Health University Hospital, University of Michigan, Duke University, University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Colorado Hospital, University of Colorado Anschutz, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Florida Atlantic University, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Chicago, University of Chicago Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania, University of Utah Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University of Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, Harvard University, Baylor Scott & White Health
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,431
OpenAlex ID: W7083055955