3.1.3 Factors considered in pursuing a career in cardiothoracic
surgery
A number of papers evaluated the various factors that shape perception
and interest of CT surgery as a career. In Algethami et al. (5), 17
factors were identified, out of which 5 were considered attractive or
strongly attractive and 2 categorised as deterring factors. The most
attractive quality was the ability to save and influence patients’ lives
(65.9%) followed by the skills involved in surgery (55.3%) and the
flexibility of practicing worldwide (59.2%). The main challenging
factors identified were the limited geographical locations to practice
in Saudi Arabia as well as the competitive nature of jobs and training
posts. In a similar study by Preece R. et al. (12), the same
discouraging factors resulted to be the most significant however, in
addition to the encouraging factors reported in Algethami et al.,
intellectual challenge (72.4%) and the opportunity to do research and
innovate (69.0%) were also key factors. In the UK study, more students
regarded the ability to practice worldwide as an important factor
(79.3% compared to 59.2%).
Coyan et al. (13) compared the determinants of CT surgery as the top
choice in interested students and non-interested students. For both
groups, work/life balance was the highest-ranked deterrent factor (82%
of responses) followed by other factors such as limited pathology of
patients, length and difficulty of training, high stress and constantly
dealing with death and personalities of CT surgeons. Meanwhile, personal
satisfaction and intellectual challenge were highly regarded equally .
However, for students with interest, research opportunities, and
potential for new technologies were more highly valued whilst work-life
balance was not as highly influential. Dissimilarly in non-interested
students: Professional satisfaction and work-life balance were both
important. In women, other crucial points were highlighted such as the
ability to address health inequalities as a positive factor and the
impact of work of family planning as a negative quality. Similar
findings were reported in Meza et al. (14). Despite intellectual
interest (91%) and lifestyle (86%) being the main goals influencing
the choice of career, the ability to address health disparities (52%
responses) and salary (46%) were not uncommonly noted (Figure 2).