Objective

Data from North America has suggested that concerns about job security and job availability may be reasons for the decline in applications for Cardiothoracic training posts. Competition ratios in the United Kingdom have also declined in the past years. We aim to examine Core Surgical Trainees’ perception of Cardiothoracic Surgery as a career choice.

Methods

We undertook a national survey of all Core Surgical Trainees in the United Kingdom using an internet-based survey provider. Trainees were sent a link via their local Local Education and Training Boards (LETB) with further reminder emails at weekly intervals.

Results

9 of 15 LETBs agreed to forward the survey. A total of 103 responses were received (17.3% response rate). 73 (70.9%) had chosen their Destination Specialty, of these, only 5 (5% of total) had chosen Cardiothoracic Surgery. When we examined Trainees’ perceptions of Cardiothoracic Surgery across a range of domains (eg Previous Exposure; Job Security; Workload; Work-Life Balance), it was regarded significantly less positively than other specialties (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

Cardiothoracic surgery is not viewed as favourably as other surgical specialties by Core Surgical Trainees. Previous exposure to the specialty does not increase Trainees’ desire to pursue a career in Cardiothoracic Surgery.