BACKGROUND: Applications to cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) training programs have
declined precipitously. The viewpoints of potential applicants, general surgery residents,
have not yet been assessed. Their perceptions are crucial to understanding the cause and
formulating appropriate changes in our educational system. METHODS: An initial survey
instrument was content-validated, and the final instrument was distributed electronically
between March 24 and May 2, 2008 through 251 general surgery program directors to all …

METHODS: A survey was distributed electronically between August 2020 and January 2021
to GS program coordinators, the Resident and Associate Society of the American College of
Surgeons social media, and ACS Resident Member News. Inclusion criteria were GS
residents who self-identified as having current or previous interest in pursuing CTS training.
RESULTS: The survey was completed by 124 GS residents, of whom 85/124 (68.5%) were
male, 101/124 (81.5%) had continued interest in pursuing CTS training, and 23/24 (18.5%) …