http://www.ctsnet.org CTSNet Reader Comments en-us Copyright 2009 CTSNet support@ctsnet.org http://www.ctsnet.org/graphics/logos/organizations/ctsnet_logo_wht195.gif http://www.ctsnet.org 114 30 It is increasingly important that cardiothoracic surgeons pay attention to and add to knowledge about policy issues such as that raised by this paper. The conclusion that thousands of additional cardiothoracic surgeons will be needed by 2030 is based on a potentially erroneous premise: "To maintain our current status per 100,000 population from 2011 to 2030, we will have to train 4,000 residents." Is there not perhaps a surfeit of CT surgeons today? In other words, might the current ratio of surgeons to population by too high? How should we account for the likelihood that advances in technique and technology might further reduce the ideal ratio over the next 20 years?

]]> Sun, 03 May 2009 03:03 EDT International fellowship programs under ECFMG supervision should be rehabilitated with better educational content, responsibility and benefits. Instead of flooding the USA with CT surgeons with less desire and credentials for the specialty; already trained CT surgeons worldwide may pass over a central qualification approval and work effectively under supervision of BC/BE CT surgeons. This may imminently decrease the lack of CT workforce and prevent CT surgeon inflation in the USA.

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