The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Thoracic Surgery Practice and Access Task Force: 2014 Workforce Report

These data provide a current, detailed profile of the specialty. Ongoing challenges remain length of training and educational debt. Case volumes, scope of practice, malpractice costs, and career satisfaction have remained relatively constant. With contraction of the current resident pool and the workforce ages, significant cardiothoracic surgeon shortages may develop as the United States population expands.