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Ann Thorac Surg 2006;81:782-784
© 2006 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

STS/AATS Joint Workforce on New Technology

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American Association for Thoracic Surgery Off-Pump Training Program

Richard P. Anderson, MD a , * , Meghan Carey, MSW a , Evelyn Baram-Clothier, JD c , Michael J. Mack, MD b , d , Bruce W. Lytle, MD b , e

a Workforce for the Office of Research, Chicago, Illinois
b The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Chicago, Illinois
c The American Medical Foundation for Peer Review and Education, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
d The Cardiopulmonary Research Science and Technology Institute, Dallas, Texas
e Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio

* Address correspondence to Dr Anderson, Workforce on Research, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, 633 N Saint Clair St, Suite 2320, Chicago, IL 60611-3658 (Email: ctsrpa{at}msn.com).

BACKGROUND: Opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills in new technology are limited for cardiothoracic surgeons after completion of residency. In 2000 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American Association for Thoracic Surgery Joint Committee for New Technology Assessment accepted an educational grant from the Foundation for Advanced Medical Education to implement and test an instructional program for practicing cardiothoracic surgeons in off-pump coronary bypass surgery.

METHODS: Twenty-four surgeons were selected for participation. Instruction was provided in three phases: (1) a preliminary video illustrating the techniques; (2) 2-day training sessions at two separate locations linked by videoconference; and (3) visits by trainees to observe preceptor surgeons at their institutions, followed by visits of preceptor surgeons to the institutions of the trainees. Evaluation of the program was made by review of trainee case lists in the year after completion of the program and by written surveys completed by trainees and preceptors.

RESULTS: Seventeen surgeons completed all phases of the program. Most of them reported frequently utilizing off-pump bypass surgery in practice with good results. Two surgeons dropped out of the program before the first phase, and 5 surgeons did not complete all preceptor visits. Most survey respondents commented that the program met or exceeded their expectations.

CONCLUSIONS: Some trainees were unable to complete proctor visits because of professional responsibilities at home or because of difficulty in advanced scheduling of procedures. More rigorous selection and stronger administrative controls might have reduced program dropouts. The instructional model worked extremely well for properly selected and motivated surgeons.






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Copyright © 2006 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.