A shortfall in filling cardiothoracic (CT) surgery training vacancies signals a forthcoming shortage in CT surgeons, while an aging population will bring increasing demand for their services, according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).
On June 13, the National Residency Match Program announced that only 87 of the 130 CT surgery training positions were filled, leaving 33% of the training positions vacant and 36 of the 92 training programs unfilled, the third straight year of similar shortfalls, said STS. Compounding this problem is research indicating that the average age of the approximately 3,700 practicing CT surgeons is 55, and more than 50% plan to retire within the next 10 to 13 years.
STS is seeking collaborative efforts with the government to make changes to attract more applicants to the specialty’s training programs.
