Residents Issues Discussed at STS Annual Meeting

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. – At this year’s Society of Thoracic Surgeons Meeting, the 48th Annual, many topics were discussed that are of particular relevance to thoracic surgery trainees. These topics ranged from the future scope of our practice, to our ongoing collaborations with our medical colleagues, and included issues relating to acquiring a job.

In terms of the evolving cardiothoracic surgery practice, there were separate sessions devoted to the transcatheter aortic valve techniques. Data presented demonstrated the expanding role and the increasing safety of these approaches in select patient populations.

Hybrid and multidisciplinary approaches to coronary surgery, thoracic aortic aneurysm, valvular and pleural based diseases are ever increasing. Being well versed and open to these approaches will become an increasing part of cardiothoracic surgery care in the upcoming decade.

A common theme of the morning sessions was the ever increasing collaborative nature of our specialty. This sentiment was expressed by Dr. Michael Mack’s Presidential Address and Dr. Friedrich Mohr’s C.Walton Lillehei Lecture. In both of these excellent talks, the need for, and multitude of benefits of collaboration were espoused. These are collaborations with our fellow surgeons, our anesthesiologists, cardiologists and pulmonologists, and ancillary support staff. The benefits go beyond those of improving patient care and expanding procedures to deep rich friendships and enjoyable relationships. As Dr. Mack aptly put it "a rising tide floats all boats."

On Sunday there was a special session devoted to resident issues. This session included Dr. Ara Vaporciyan, Dr. Edward Verrier, Dr. John Ikonomidis, Dr. Kevin Accola, Dr. Peter Smith, and Dr. William Baumgartner. The emphasis of this session was to aid in the trainee job search and to facilitate the transition into that first position. Lectures focused on how to market oneself, negotiating contracts, billing, and the ubiquitous role of teaching.

Residents were encouraged to speak to as many people as possible and to develop a set of skills that they can articulate being able to bring to a practice. In both academic and private practices, one needs to be flexible but also protective of one’s time.

We need to be conscious of our choices, in terms of time, procedures, call, commitments, and family. The new practice environment is an intermingled one where we need to be vigilant of the results of our decisions.

Negotiating with potential partners and employees should be done in good faith. The three take homes were that one wants to ensure that there is a good fit in the practice, you are joining a family that you have to live with, and the cardiothoracic surgery community is a small one.

Residents were encouraged to have a lawyer review their contract, not so much as to bargain or get an edge up, but so as to completely understand what one is agreeing to. In addition, most contracts are standard among large institutions but having counsel review a contract can identify gross omissions or concerns.

Early on in the practice, new employees should seek out courses and knowledge on billing and coding. While bills will likely be submitted by a "biller," they are ultimately responsible. Knowing what can and cannot be billed for is key.

We were encouraged to stay abreast of the billing and coding process to ensure an accurate submission and to improve our knowledge of practice management as well.

Trainees are cautioned that while some may not choose to pursue academic practices, teaching is an ever present component of our work-life. Cardiothoracic surgeons have the opportunity and obligation to teach to our colleagues, our ancillary support staff, and our patients.

The benefits of this teaching are that ultimately patients bet better care. Those who support us are empowered to take active roles in patient care and the patients themselves become invested in their health care.

Finally, Dr. George Hicks, chief of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center, was honored for his mentoring of young surgeons. He was awarded the Socrates Award for his devotion to thoracic resident education. The Socrates Award is given by the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in resident training.

In addition, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery emphasized the need for thorough board preparation, the recent changes in the certifying exam, and the need to have a depth and breadth of both thoracic and cardiac knowledge.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. – At this year’s Society of Thoracic Surgeons Meeting, the 48th Annual, many topics were discussed that are of particular relevance to thoracic surgery trainees. These topics ranged from the future scope of our practice, to our ongoing collaborations with our medical colleagues, and included issues relating to acquiring a job.

In terms of the evolving cardiothoracic surgery practice, there were separate sessions devoted to the transcatheter aortic valve techniques. Data presented demonstrated the expanding role and the increasing safety of these approaches in select patient populations.

Hybrid and multidisciplinary approaches to coronary surgery, thoracic aortic aneurysm, valvular and pleural based diseases are ever increasing. Being well versed and open to these approaches will become an increasing part of cardiothoracic surgery care in the upcoming decade.

A common theme of the morning sessions was the ever increasing collaborative nature of our specialty. This sentiment was expressed by Dr. Michael Mack’s Presidential Address and Dr. Friedrich Mohr’s C.Walton Lillehei Lecture. In both of these excellent talks, the need for, and multitude of benefits of collaboration were espoused. These are collaborations with our fellow surgeons, our anesthesiologists, cardiologists and pulmonologists, and ancillary support staff. The benefits go beyond those of improving patient care and expanding procedures to deep rich friendships and enjoyable relationships. As Dr. Mack aptly put it "a rising tide floats all boats."

On Sunday there was a special session devoted to resident issues. This session included Dr. Ara Vaporciyan, Dr. Edward Verrier, Dr. John Ikonomidis, Dr. Kevin Accola, Dr. Peter Smith, and Dr. William Baumgartner. The emphasis of this session was to aid in the trainee job search and to facilitate the transition into that first position. Lectures focused on how to market oneself, negotiating contracts, billing, and the ubiquitous role of teaching.

Residents were encouraged to speak to as many people as possible and to develop a set of skills that they can articulate being able to bring to a practice. In both academic and private practices, one needs to be flexible but also protective of one’s time.

We need to be conscious of our choices, in terms of time, procedures, call, commitments, and family. The new practice environment is an intermingled one where we need to be vigilant of the results of our decisions.

Negotiating with potential partners and employees should be done in good faith. The three take homes were that one wants to ensure that there is a good fit in the practice, you are joining a family that you have to live with, and the cardiothoracic surgery community is a small one.

Residents were encouraged to have a lawyer review their contract, not so much as to bargain or get an edge up, but so as to completely understand what one is agreeing to. In addition, most contracts are standard among large institutions but having counsel review a contract can identify gross omissions or concerns.

Early on in the practice, new employees should seek out courses and knowledge on billing and coding. While bills will likely be submitted by a "biller," they are ultimately responsible. Knowing what can and cannot be billed for is key.

We were encouraged to stay abreast of the billing and coding process to ensure an accurate submission and to improve our knowledge of practice management as well.

Trainees are cautioned that while some may not choose to pursue academic practices, teaching is an ever present component of our work-life. Cardiothoracic surgeons have the opportunity and obligation to teach to our colleagues, our ancillary support staff, and our patients.

The benefits of this teaching are that ultimately patients bet better care. Those who support us are empowered to take active roles in patient care and the patients themselves become invested in their health care.

Finally, Dr. George Hicks, chief of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center, was honored for his mentoring of young surgeons. He was awarded the Socrates Award for his devotion to thoracic resident education. The Socrates Award is given by the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in resident training.

In addition, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery emphasized the need for thorough board preparation, the recent changes in the certifying exam, and the need to have a depth and breadth of both thoracic and cardiac knowledge.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. – At this year’s Society of Thoracic Surgeons Meeting, the 48th Annual, many topics were discussed that are of particular relevance to thoracic surgery trainees. These topics ranged from the future scope of our practice, to our ongoing collaborations with our medical colleagues, and included issues relating to acquiring a job.

In terms of the evolving cardiothoracic surgery practice, there were separate sessions devoted to the transcatheter aortic valve techniques. Data presented demonstrated the expanding role and the increasing safety of these approaches in select patient populations.

Hybrid and multidisciplinary approaches to coronary surgery, thoracic aortic aneurysm, valvular and pleural based diseases are ever increasing. Being well versed and open to these approaches will become an increasing part of cardiothoracic surgery care in the upcoming decade.

A common theme of the morning sessions was the ever increasing collaborative nature of our specialty. This sentiment was expressed by Dr. Michael Mack’s Presidential Address and Dr. Friedrich Mohr’s C.Walton Lillehei Lecture. In both of these excellent talks, the need for, and multitude of benefits of collaboration were espoused. These are collaborations with our fellow surgeons, our anesthesiologists, cardiologists and pulmonologists, and ancillary support staff. The benefits go beyond those of improving patient care and expanding procedures to deep rich friendships and enjoyable relationships. As Dr. Mack aptly put it "a rising tide floats all boats."

On Sunday there was a special session devoted to resident issues. This session included Dr. Ara Vaporciyan, Dr. Edward Verrier, Dr. John Ikonomidis, Dr. Kevin Accola, Dr. Peter Smith, and Dr. William Baumgartner. The emphasis of this session was to aid in the trainee job search and to facilitate the transition into that first position. Lectures focused on how to market oneself, negotiating contracts, billing, and the ubiquitous role of teaching.

Residents were encouraged to speak to as many people as possible and to develop a set of skills that they can articulate being able to bring to a practice. In both academic and private practices, one needs to be flexible but also protective of one’s time.

We need to be conscious of our choices, in terms of time, procedures, call, commitments, and family. The new practice environment is an intermingled one where we need to be vigilant of the results of our decisions.

Negotiating with potential partners and employees should be done in good faith. The three take homes were that one wants to ensure that there is a good fit in the practice, you are joining a family that you have to live with, and the cardiothoracic surgery community is a small one.

Residents were encouraged to have a lawyer review their contract, not so much as to bargain or get an edge up, but so as to completely understand what one is agreeing to. In addition, most contracts are standard among large institutions but having counsel review a contract can identify gross omissions or concerns.

Early on in the practice, new employees should seek out courses and knowledge on billing and coding. While bills will likely be submitted by a "biller," they are ultimately responsible. Knowing what can and cannot be billed for is key.

We were encouraged to stay abreast of the billing and coding process to ensure an accurate submission and to improve our knowledge of practice management as well.

Trainees are cautioned that while some may not choose to pursue academic practices, teaching is an ever present component of our work-life. Cardiothoracic surgeons have the opportunity and obligation to teach to our colleagues, our ancillary support staff, and our patients.

The benefits of this teaching are that ultimately patients bet better care. Those who support us are empowered to take active roles in patient care and the patients themselves become invested in their health care.

Finally, Dr. George Hicks, chief of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center, was honored for his mentoring of young surgeons. He was awarded the Socrates Award for his devotion to thoracic resident education. The Socrates Award is given by the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in resident training.

In addition, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery emphasized the need for thorough board preparation, the recent changes in the certifying exam, and the need to have a depth and breadth of both thoracic and cardiac knowledge.