2 answers
4
Asked 865 views

How will the competition for cardiovascular surgeons fluctuate as the years progress?

Interested in becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. #healthcare #surgery #cardiac-surgeon #cardiothoracic

surgery cardiac-surgeon cardiothoracic
Thank you comment icon Be knowledgeable! Anyone that loves Healthcare loves the different unique cases that are not common. Do research,look at studies in regards to heart disease. Look more in depth history, family history. Just even though a test shows everything is ok , be skeptical sometimes a test will show nothing yet the patient has a heart attack. Look at the labs not just recent but look at for the year see if there is any difference. Caroline V
Answer This

+25 Karma if successful
From: You
To: Friend
Subject: Career question for you
4

2 answers

0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Caroline’s Answer

Being in cardiac surgery and healthcare in general for 20+ years, I have witnessed how the business of healthcare has evolved. In my earlier years, It was an open playing field. Any independent cardiac surgeon could practice with privileges at a hospital and do surgery based on their referrals. I worked as a Nurse Practitioner supporting the service and mostly all surgeons that had free roam to book their case. Closer to 10+ years ago, the hospitals have contracted or simply hired specific surgeons. If you weren’t hired and unfortunate to not be in the “in” group, then we would see less and less of certain surgeons. This has been the trend for other specialties as well. In other words, cardiac surgeons have become less independent practice and more of a hired on employee of the hospital. I just feel bad for the surgeons that didn’t get picked to be hired, which didn’t mean they were not excellent surgeons. Many of those cardiac surgeons ended up opening their own vein clinics…but that also proved more lucrative for them, they just didn’t do hearts anymore. They also have the responsibility of running the business for these vein clinic enterprises, which could be desirable or not. So in addition to having good outcomes and the talent, make an impression, network with the right folks, and be a good negotiator if you truly want to be an employed heart surgeon.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Wendy’s Answer

Coming from a RN that is familiar with that realm, it will fluctuate a bit more. The latest political shifts are creating space for female surgeons, there has been an increase in the amount of female surgeons [1], acceptance, inclusion and an increase in diversity.


<h4>Training women surgeons and their academic advancement</h4>
  1. Baumgartner, William A et al. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery , Volume 71 , Issue 2 , S22 - S24

I would suggest making sure to being making connections to be able to get into the program you want on the first try.
0