title: Catheter-Based Educational Experiences: A Canadian Survey of Current Residents and Recent Graduates in Cardiac Surgery.
abstract: The past decade has witnessed significant developments in the use of catheter-based therapies in cardiovascular medicine. We sought to assess the educational opportunities for cardiac surgery trainees to determine their readiness for participation in these strategies. A web-based survey was distributed to current residents, recent graduates, and program directors in Canadian cardiac surgery residency programs from 2008-2013. The survey was distributed to 110 residents and graduates. Forty-five percent completed the survey. Thirty-five percent expressed that they experienced resistance organizing their rotations because they had to compete with non-cardiac surgery colleagues, and 6 were denied local cardiac catheterization rotations. By the end of the rotation, 56% were comfortable performing a diagnostic cardiac catheterization independently. Exposure to being the operator performing diagnostic catheterization was significantly associated with the positive perception of being able to perform a diagnostic catheterization independently (odds ratio [OR], 5.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-19.81; P = 0.017). Eighty-eight percent of respondents expressed the need for more exposure in catheter-based rotations. Seven of 11 program directors completed the survey. All believed such rotations should be mandatory and foresaw a bigger role for hybrid catheter-based/cardiac surgery procedures in the future. Trainees and program directors perceive that increased exposure to catheter-based therapies is important to career development as a cardiac surgeon. This survey will contribute to the development of a cardiac surgery training curriculum as we foresee more hybrid and team procedures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Nadzir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Juanda
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: frubens@ottawaheart.ca.
authors.forename: Fraser D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Rubens
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002309:Cardiology / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000193:education*