[Analysis of the current situation and outlook of thoracic surgery]. / Análisis de la situación actual y previsión de futuro de la especialidad de cirugía torácica.

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. MATERIAL AND 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.

Análisis de la situación actual y previsión de futuro de la especialidad de cirugía torácica / Analysis of the Current Situation and Outlook of Thoracic Surgery

Introduccióncon objeto de analizar la situación actual y realizar una previsión de futuro de las necesidades de especialistas de cirugía torácica, se ha llevado a cabo un estudio descriptivo teniendo en cuenta las incorporaciones y posibles salidas del sistema de médicos de esta especialidad.Material y métodoscomo base de datos se han tomado las de la Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica (n=304), Club de Cirujanos Torácicos (n=122) y Consejo Español de Colegios de Médicos (n=225). También se ha considerado el número actual de médicos residentes (n=84). Se han añadido otros especialistas no censados en esta base de datos de los que se tiene constancia de su ejercicio (n=10). El total de especialistas en ejercicio considerados ha sido de 211.Resultadosactualmente hay 52 unidades de cirugía torácica con actividad y el mayor número de especialistas activos se registra en Madrid (n=44), Cataluña (n=33) y Andalucía (n=33). La previsión de jubilaciones (edad de 65 años) y nuevas incorporaciones de médicos especialistas hace que se prevea un excedente de cirujanos torácicos de 57 en los próximos 5 años.Conclusionesla especialidad de cirugía torácica debería moderar su oferta de formación de nuevos especialistas en los próximos 5 años como mínimo(AU)

ObjectiveThe 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.Material and methodsThe 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.ResultsThere 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.ConclusionsThoracic surgery needs to limit the intake of new trainee specialists for at least the next 5 years(AU)