Residency in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery: My viewpoint

Obstacles Faced by the Resident 

I have recently completed my cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS) residency. It not only taught me the techniques and art of surgery but also enriched me spiritually. There are many things which I think can make our training programmes highly successful and beneficial. We as residents should learn to take maximum benefit from our residency, as this prepares the foundation on which our future will be built. The details of an ideal resident training programme will always be debated, and it’s not always possible to achieve the ideal. Residents will continue to expect many things from their course of instruction, and the demands of residency training will continue to create obstacles.

Various hurdles and obstacles may arise in our lives; these may hinder our path of training. Most of them are either in the form of health and family related issues or at times various aspects of the hard and rigorous training which test the resident’s psychological strength. From time to time residents may develop negative thoughts about the decision to become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

We should learn to minimize the loss and distraction that these situations inflict on our learning and career. There are many ways of doing so. Exercise is one of the best ways to shed one’s worries and increase physical and psychological strength.





The meals should be taken in a relaxed atmosphere whenever possible, not just to push in something for the sake of filling our stomach. If we can be careful about the protection of our patients’ myocardium, why cannot we practice protection of our own stomach and myocardium?

Nothing is more relaxing than a good sound sleep. Deprivation of sleep is a big enemy for all residents, but it is the call of the duty that keeps us awake for long hours. Resting areas in the hospital should be comfortable and peaceful, so that even a short nap is refreshing. Residents should try to have a good sound sleep the night before their call day.

Almost all of us have one or another hobby, but most of us are not able to pursue it. Some time should be set aside in our busy routine for hobbies. They have a very good relaxing and refreshing effect.

Another way of relieving stress is socializing together, going out for a dinner or picnic. Departments should have their own protocol for such get-togethers at least once a month. Apart from cementing the unity between team members, these occasions also let everyone know each other in a relaxed atmosphere. Such get-togethers don’t lead to loss of working hours; rather they increase the productivity of the team members.




Music at the working place has been proven to improve the atmosphere. Lots of musical compositions which suit such places are available and should be played.

Reading popular books or magazines on technology of today such ad ipad, windows, blackberry  and many others written on related issues especiali sport (martial art is my favorit)  have a very positive impact on our thinking and behavior.

Last but not least a supportive family is of great assistance in helping us to become a Cardiothoracic surgeon. Their contribution is no less than anyone else is because they sacrifice a lot to enable us to remain busy during our training and throughout our career.



During residency which is difficult, demanding and exhausting, when the hours are long and days unpredictable, many times a negative thought comes into our mind. One might question why I chose this endeavor. But then thinking about the challenges, excitement, and rewards that lie ahead will help remind you that the choice was correct.

Rewards are immeasurable after the hard work of residency. The future is full of opportunities in our specialty, we have to recognize and seize them. Many life saving opportunities that this profession provides are very gratifying.

Cardiothoracic surgeons are frequently given special respect. They are almost uniformly considered leaders among the surgical specialties. Heading a team of skilled healthcare providers of many types is satisfying and stimulating. We should be proud that we will be trusted and called upon to treat some of the sickest patients with the most complex problems in the hospital. We will be dealing with the most vibrant and dynamic organ, i.e., the heart. It will be our privilege to touch and mend the heart, to work inside its chambers and restore the health of a gravely ill patient. 
It is an honor which few people ever get to experience. 
The joys of being a Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon will certainly greatly outweigh the frustrations and irritations that lie in the path of becoming one.

Ideas about an ideal CTVS residency programme will remain different and will continue to be debated at various levels. Nevertheless, training residents with the best and latest knowledge in an environment which is cordial, friendly, disciplined and honest, is essential. We as residents should try to make our learning as productive as possible. Frustrations should not be allowed to creep in. The whole idea of residency training should be not only to produce the best of surgeons but also the best of ‘humane’ surgeons. Let us all work together to accomplish this goal.

 

I will always be extremely grateful and thankfull to all my teachers who have always taught me the art and science of this specialty and encouraged me to realize my dreams. Many thanks to my great parents, sweet and caring wife and son, wonderful friends and colleagues, family members and all the staff of  the hospital who supported and loved me all throughout my CTVS residency.