Characteristics of cardiothoracic surgeons practicing at the top-ranked US institutions

Abstract

Background: We aimed to determine which factors distinguish cardiothoracic (CT) surgeons practicing at the top-ranked US institutions from their peers. Methods: Using online resources, we collected demographics, training information and academic metrics of 694 cardiac (n=489; 70%) and thoracic (n=205; 30%) surgeons practicing at 57 preeminent US institutions, including those with the highest US News & World Report ranking ("top CT centers"). Results: Two hundred and ninety-nine (43.1%) CT surgeons were practicing at the 18 "top CT centers" and had higher academic productivity (publications, citations) than their peers. While there was no difference in the proportion of international medical graduates (IMGs) (21.4% overall) or of surgeons with a PhD degree (9.4% overall) across institutions, the "top CT centers" had a higher proportion of faculty who received their entire CT training abroad (10.4% vs. 5.8%; P=0.038) or at highly-ranked US institutions. Those who published more during their early career years (residency, fellowship and first 5 years as faculty)were more likely to attain academic (professorship) and institutional leadership (division/department chair) positions and to practice at the "top CT centers". Women represented a minority (7.3% overall; 5.1% of cardiac vs. 12.7% of thoracic surgeons, P<0.001), but with growing prevalence among younger faculty and without differences across institutions. Conclusions: CT surgeons of the best US centers have a more international background and received their training at highly-ranked institutions. Early academic productivity is associated with life-long career achievements, with special importance of the first 5 years as faculty. Women represent a growing proportion of the CT surgical workforce.

Culture of Safety and Gender Inclusion in Cardiothoracic Surgery

“…A recent report showed that a higher proportion of faculty in "top" cardiothoracic surgery centers obtained training abroad or at highly ranked U.S. institutions with a diverse faculty [22]. Yet, among these top centers, women surgeons represented only a small minority, at 7.3% [22]. While there is no substantive gender difference among the institutions studied, there is a slow, but appreciable, increase in female surgeons among the younger faculty.…”

“…In thoracic surgery, there has been modest progress relating to diversity. A recent report showed that a higher proportion of faculty in "top" cardiothoracic surgery centers obtained training abroad or at highly ranked U.S. institutions with a diverse faculty [22]. Yet, among these top centers, women surgeons represented only a small minority, at 7.3% [22].…”

Association between physician US News & World Report medical school ranking and patient outcomes and costs of care: observational study

“… 25 USNWR uses four attributes to rank medical schools: reputation, research activity, student selectivity, and faculty resources. The rankings are commonly used as a metric for assessing the quality of medical schools 15 16 17 (although other less commonly used ranking schemas exist). Rankings are based on a weighted average of indicators, including peer assessment by school deans, evaluation by residency directors, selectivity of student admission (medical college admission test scores, student grade point averages, and acceptance rate), and faculty-student ratio.…”

“…We focused on USNWR rankings in our main analyses because they are the most commonly applied rankings and used in previous studies. 15 16 17 As secondary analyses, we also investigated alternative rankings based on social mission score and research funding. 18 …”

Establishing an academic niche in cardiothoracic surgery: The earlier the better

“…Residency and junior faculty academic productivity is directly related to midterm and late success in academic surgery, so leveraging experiences as early as possible is necessary in today's research environment. 7 As most early surgeon-scientists will have some gaps in expertise, it is important to fill those gaps with support from mentors strong in those areas. In addition, collaboration with professional researchers is becoming more important than ever for those interested in true foundational basic science/engineering research.…”