Cardiothoracic surgery vs lifestyle

[Vash311]

What's the lifestyle like for this profession...I know it's one of those "bachelor/bachelorette" makers specialties...but any chance that this field is going to become somewhat family friendly in the future? What about CT surgeons working in academic settings...how do pay/time for a life compare with private practice? Thanks!

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[droliver]

the fellowships are brutal. If you get into a large practice group, the call can be distributed enough that its not so bad.

 

[bigfrank]

Bump....................

Does anyone know anything else? We're all ears!!!!

 

[Winged Scapula]

I would imagine that academic CT Surgery in comparison to private practice is no different than any other specialty: the pay is less and the hours worse. While I have been amazed to see how well some patients do (ie, CABGs, Transplants), some do ridiculously poorly and often require trips to the OR at unGodly hours. Most of the surgeries are planned but there are always the emergent CABG coming up from the Cath Lab or ED requiring you to come in after hours, on weekends, etc.

THis is all anecdotal from my rotations on CTS - I find the lifestyle to be rather brutal; certainly not one of the "lifestyle residencies."

 

[Smoke This]

Bump.

 

[Vash311]

Bump

 

[JPFL75]

are the rewards both financially and professionally worth the price of becomina a CT surgeon?? I mean what's the future of cardiothoracic surgery? Are there some guys out there still making close to million/year?

 

[Oche]

I refer you this article "Reflections on the Future of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery" at <a href="http://www.ctsnet.org/doc/5895." target="_blank">http://www.ctsnet.org/doc/5895.</a>
And this article "A Realistic View of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Specialty" at <a href="http://www.ctsnet.org/doc/6529." target="_blank">http://www.ctsnet.org/doc/6529.</a> I hope this helps.

 

[Oche]

Actually, just look at the general discussions for CT residents at that site; <a href="http://www.ctsnet.org/fusetalk/categories.cfm?catid=14." target="_blank">http://www.ctsnet.org/fusetalk/categories.cfm?catid=14.</a> Some discussions will really open your eyes to the problems facing CT.

 

[Smoke This]

Damn! I browsed those articles and the CTSnet site, and the future of cardiothoracic surgery looks pretty grim. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> In fact, I am now beginning to wonder if the specialty will still exist as more than just coronary artery bypass grafting a few years in the future. Yikes! <img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" />