A Guide for Transition from Cardiothoracic Surgery Training to Practice.

Objective: The transition from cardiothoracic surgery training to independent practice is an important milestone in a new cardiothoracic surgeon's career and often requires navigating various known and unknown obstacles. This review aims to address some of these challenges and help guide newly minted cardiothoracic surgeons towards a successful career.

Methods: The writing group includes cardiothoracic surgery trainees, early-career surgeons, and senior surgeons. The authors provide a comprehensive guide on the professional, clinical, and personal considerations of entering practice.

Results: Several aspects of transitioning from cardiothoracic surgery training to practice are discussed, including the decision to pursue additional training, selecting a niche, considerations for private, community and academic practice, contract negotiations, preparing for day one, advice from senior surgeons on building a practice, when to consider a change in job and its implications, attitudes and strategies to build skills in your first job, the benefits of joining professional societies, strategies for becoming a more productive researcher, developing an early faculty peer network, leading and commanding respect in the operating room, how to fill the shoes of a senior partner, and raising a family as you finish training and start your first job.

Conclusion: The transition from training to independent practice presents both unique opportunities and challenges. This review consolidates firsthand insights and advice from numerous early career and senior cardiothoracic surgeons to serve as a comprehensive guide and help newly minted surgeons succeed in this demanding field.