title: [Analysis of the current situation and outlook of thoracic surgery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this descriptive study was to analyze the current situation and forecast the future requirements for specialists in thoracic surgery, taking into account the number of doctors entering and those possibly leaving this specialty.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data for this study were taken from the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) (n=304), Thoracic Surgeons' Club (n=122), and the Spanish Council of Medical Associations (n=225). We also took into account the current number of resident surgeons (n=84). Other specialists were included who are not recorded in these databases but who are known to be practicing (n=10). The total number of practicing specialists obtained was 211.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are currently 52 working thoracic surgery departments and the highest number of practicing specialists was recorded in Madrid (n=44), Catalonia (n=33), and Andalusia (n=33). The forecast number of retirements (at age 65 years) and incorporations of new specialists means that there will be a surplus of 57 thoracic surgeons in the next 5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thoracic surgery needs to limit the intake of new trainee specialists for at least the next 5 years.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital Universitario Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, España. jfregil@gobiernodecanarias.org
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freixinet
authors.forename: Araceli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caballero-Hidalgo
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: González López-Valcárcel
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: García Fernández
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Royo Crespo
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Crespo Royo
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salvatierra Velázquez
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Canalís Arrayás
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sánchez García
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torres Lanzas
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Varela Simó
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Muguruza Trueba
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mariñán Gorospe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cantó Armengod
mesh_terms: D013030:Spain; D013903:Thoracic Surgery; D000078329:Workforce