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How does the average day of a cardiothoracic surgeon go ?
Lauren,18
Brooklyn,NY
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Midwest’s Answer
Hi Lauren, I am happy to answer this from my perspective, while point out that the average day of a cardiothoracic surgeon will differ depending on the individual and the type of practice. Broadly speaking, cardiothoracic surgery or sometimes "Thoracic" (big T) surgery is inclusive of our entire specialty which consists of adult cardiac surgery, congenital/pediatric cardiac surgery, general thoracic surgery, and critical care. At most academic centers, cardiac surgery is performed by adult cardiac surgeons whereas thoracic (everything in the chest other than the heart) is performed by general thoracic surgeons. However, in the community setting, cardiothoracic surgeons often perform both cardiac and thoracic surgery.
Here is one example of the average day and week for a cardiothoracic surgeon:
Morning - Arrive at the hospital and round on patients which involves seeing patients who are in the hospital and under that surgeon's care. This could be any number of patients depending on how many operations the surgeon performs but typically consists of a relatively quick 1-5 minute visit to each patient to talk with them, examine them, and check on their progress.
Morning/Afternoon - Most days this will be spent in the operating room doing surgery. A common breakdown is 3-4 days in the operating room, 1 day in outpatient clinic, and 0-1 days of miscellaneous activities such as research or administrative tasks. Chairs of departments will have more administrative tasks than this whereas major researchers with labs at academic centers will have more than 1 day that is devoted to research. On average though, 2-4 weekdays will be majority spent in the operating room. Cardiac surgeons perform operations such as coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair and replacement, heart transplants, aortic surgery, heart failure surgery such as ventricular assist devices, cardiac trauma, cardiac tumors, and more. Frequently surgeons will have 1 or more days where they perform endovascular procedures often in conjunction with interventional cardiology, vascular surgery, and/or interventional radiology colleagues. General thoracic surgeons cover all of lung cancer surgery, esophageal surgery for malignant and benign causes, foregut surgery such as anti-reflux operations, lung transplants, tracheal surgery, and more. This may consist of 1-3 operations on most days
Afternoon/Evening - After the operating room, surgeons will commonly check on their patients in the hospital either physically seeing them or touching base with their care teams to see if any adjustments to the overall plan need to be made.
Overnight - Cardiothoracic surgeons do have some emergencies, but significantly less than other specialties such as trauma surgery or vascular surgery. Emergencies most often include aortic dissection or trauma, with the frequency of these depending on the hospital and area of practice. For thoracic surgeons this primarily includes esophageal perforations. In addition, cardiothoracic surgeons may be awoken to help manage issues that postoperative patients are having throughout the night, but not have to go into the hospital.
I agree with the previous poster that the ability to handle stress, make critical decisions, and work effectively in a team are crucial for cardiothoracic surgeons. It is a challenging profession but significantly rewarding! Please let me know if you have any follow up questions
Here is one example of the average day and week for a cardiothoracic surgeon:
Morning - Arrive at the hospital and round on patients which involves seeing patients who are in the hospital and under that surgeon's care. This could be any number of patients depending on how many operations the surgeon performs but typically consists of a relatively quick 1-5 minute visit to each patient to talk with them, examine them, and check on their progress.
Morning/Afternoon - Most days this will be spent in the operating room doing surgery. A common breakdown is 3-4 days in the operating room, 1 day in outpatient clinic, and 0-1 days of miscellaneous activities such as research or administrative tasks. Chairs of departments will have more administrative tasks than this whereas major researchers with labs at academic centers will have more than 1 day that is devoted to research. On average though, 2-4 weekdays will be majority spent in the operating room. Cardiac surgeons perform operations such as coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair and replacement, heart transplants, aortic surgery, heart failure surgery such as ventricular assist devices, cardiac trauma, cardiac tumors, and more. Frequently surgeons will have 1 or more days where they perform endovascular procedures often in conjunction with interventional cardiology, vascular surgery, and/or interventional radiology colleagues. General thoracic surgeons cover all of lung cancer surgery, esophageal surgery for malignant and benign causes, foregut surgery such as anti-reflux operations, lung transplants, tracheal surgery, and more. This may consist of 1-3 operations on most days
Afternoon/Evening - After the operating room, surgeons will commonly check on their patients in the hospital either physically seeing them or touching base with their care teams to see if any adjustments to the overall plan need to be made.
Overnight - Cardiothoracic surgeons do have some emergencies, but significantly less than other specialties such as trauma surgery or vascular surgery. Emergencies most often include aortic dissection or trauma, with the frequency of these depending on the hospital and area of practice. For thoracic surgeons this primarily includes esophageal perforations. In addition, cardiothoracic surgeons may be awoken to help manage issues that postoperative patients are having throughout the night, but not have to go into the hospital.
I agree with the previous poster that the ability to handle stress, make critical decisions, and work effectively in a team are crucial for cardiothoracic surgeons. It is a challenging profession but significantly rewarding! Please let me know if you have any follow up questions
Updated
Luke’s Answer
The average day of a cardiothoracic surgeon can be demanding and varied, typically involving a combination of clinical work, surgical procedures, patient consultations, and administrative tasks. Here's a general overview of what a day in the life of a cardiothoracic surgeon may look like:
Morning Rounds: The day often starts with morning rounds, where the surgeon visits patients in the hospital. They review patients' medical charts, discuss their progress with the medical team, and make necessary adjustments to treatment plans. This includes examining patients, evaluating test results, and discussing potential surgical interventions.
Surgical Procedures: Cardiothoracic surgeons spend a significant portion of their day performing surgical procedures. These may include open-heart surgeries, coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair or replacement, lung surgeries, or other complex procedures related to the heart, lungs, esophagus, or chest cavity. Surgeons work closely with a team of anesthesiologists, nurses, and other surgical staff to ensure the successful completion of procedures.
Consultations: Cardiothoracic surgeons also have consultations with patients who require surgical intervention. During these appointments, the surgeon evaluates patients' medical history, conducts physical examinations, explains surgical options, discusses risks and benefits, and answers any questions or concerns the patient may have. These consultations help in developing personalized treatment plans and establishing trust with the patients.
Patient Follow-ups: Following surgical procedures or consultations, cardiothoracic surgeons schedule follow-up appointments to monitor patients' recovery progress. They assess incisions, review post-operative test results, address any complications or concerns, and provide necessary post-operative care instructions. These follow-ups allow surgeons to ensure patients' well-being and provide ongoing support.
Administrative Tasks: Like many medical professionals, cardiothoracic surgeons have administrative responsibilities. This includes reviewing patient charts, updating medical records, completing surgical documentation, and collaborating with other healthcare providers to coordinate patient care. They may also participate in research activities, attend departmental meetings, and stay updated with advancements in the field through continuous education and professional development.
Emergency Cases: Cardiothoracic surgeons must be prepared for emergency cases that require immediate surgical intervention, such as trauma-related injuries or acute cardiac events. These cases can arise at any time and may disrupt the planned schedule for the day.
It's important to note that the exact schedule of a cardiothoracic surgeon can vary depending on factors such as the specific hospital or medical center, the nature of cases being handled, and the surgeon's level of experience. The workload can be intense, requiring long hours and being on-call for emergencies. The ability to handle stress, make critical decisions, and work effectively in a team are crucial skills for cardiothoracic surgeons.
Morning Rounds: The day often starts with morning rounds, where the surgeon visits patients in the hospital. They review patients' medical charts, discuss their progress with the medical team, and make necessary adjustments to treatment plans. This includes examining patients, evaluating test results, and discussing potential surgical interventions.
Surgical Procedures: Cardiothoracic surgeons spend a significant portion of their day performing surgical procedures. These may include open-heart surgeries, coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair or replacement, lung surgeries, or other complex procedures related to the heart, lungs, esophagus, or chest cavity. Surgeons work closely with a team of anesthesiologists, nurses, and other surgical staff to ensure the successful completion of procedures.
Consultations: Cardiothoracic surgeons also have consultations with patients who require surgical intervention. During these appointments, the surgeon evaluates patients' medical history, conducts physical examinations, explains surgical options, discusses risks and benefits, and answers any questions or concerns the patient may have. These consultations help in developing personalized treatment plans and establishing trust with the patients.
Patient Follow-ups: Following surgical procedures or consultations, cardiothoracic surgeons schedule follow-up appointments to monitor patients' recovery progress. They assess incisions, review post-operative test results, address any complications or concerns, and provide necessary post-operative care instructions. These follow-ups allow surgeons to ensure patients' well-being and provide ongoing support.
Administrative Tasks: Like many medical professionals, cardiothoracic surgeons have administrative responsibilities. This includes reviewing patient charts, updating medical records, completing surgical documentation, and collaborating with other healthcare providers to coordinate patient care. They may also participate in research activities, attend departmental meetings, and stay updated with advancements in the field through continuous education and professional development.
Emergency Cases: Cardiothoracic surgeons must be prepared for emergency cases that require immediate surgical intervention, such as trauma-related injuries or acute cardiac events. These cases can arise at any time and may disrupt the planned schedule for the day.
It's important to note that the exact schedule of a cardiothoracic surgeon can vary depending on factors such as the specific hospital or medical center, the nature of cases being handled, and the surgeon's level of experience. The workload can be intense, requiring long hours and being on-call for emergencies. The ability to handle stress, make critical decisions, and work effectively in a team are crucial skills for cardiothoracic surgeons.