[Analysis of the current situation and outlook of thoracic surgery].
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.
Freixinet
Jordi
J
Servicio de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital Universitario Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, España. jfregil@gobiernodecanarias.org
Caballero-Hidalgo
Araceli
A
González López-Valcárcel
Beatriz
B
García Fernández
José Luis
JL
Royo Crespo
Iñigo
I
Crespo Royo
Iñigo
I
Salvatierra Velázquez
Angel
A
Canalís Arrayás
Emilio
E
Sánchez García
Manuel
M
Torres Lanzas
Juan
J
Varela Simó
Gonzalo
G
Muguruza Trueba
Ignacio
I
Mariñán Gorospe
Manuel
M
Cantó Armengod
A
A
D013030:Spain; D013903:Thoracic Surgery; D000078329:Workforce